Workers Issues in the US
CWA, Verizon impose blackout on contract talks
By Shannon Jones, 19 May 2016
The federal mediator overseeing contract talks, Allison Beck, is a tried and tested representative of the corporate establishment.
CWA agrees to federal mediator, prepares sellout of Verizon strike
By Samuel Davidson, 18 May 2016
The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers agreed to a federal mediator during talks overseen by the Obama administration.
The political struggle facing Verizon workers
By Jerry White—SEP candidate for US president, 17 May 2016
The month-long strike by 40,000 workers at Verizon Communications in the eastern United States is at a critical juncture.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 May 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Verizon strike: CWA officials call New York cops against WSWS reporters
By Sandy English, 16 May 2016
Union officials in Brooklyn called the police to stop strikers from speaking to the WSWS, just days after an NYPD cop, driving a van load of scabs, ran down a striking worker.
Obama’s labor department intervenes in Verizon strike
By our reporters, 16 May 2016
The US Labor Department announced that Verizon, the Communications Workers of American and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers would resume negotiations Tuesday.
One month on strike: The way forward for Verizon workers
By Jerry White—Socialist Equality Party US presidential candidate, 16 May 2016
The strike by nearly 40,000 Verizon workers is at a crossroads. Jerry White, the SEP’s candidate for US president, will host a call to discuss the way forward for striking workers.
New picket line assault on Verizon strikers in Massachusetts
By Shannon Jones, 13 May 2016
The silence of the CWA on the recent attack on a Verizon picket in Queens, New York is encouraging more violent assaults on strikers
Trump backs end to the federal minimum wage
By Patrick Martin, 11 May 2016
Trump is advocating a race to the bottom, in which governors and legislatures would offer minimum wage reductions and exemptions to entice companies to locate in their state.
CWA silent after Verizon worker run down by New York City cop
By Nick Barrickman, 11 May 2016
The incident has exposed the strikebreaking operation being coordinated by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Honeywell locks out workers in New York and Indiana
By Philip Guelpa, 11 May 2016
The workers, isolated by the United Auto Workers, were locked out after rejecting major concessions contracts at two aerospace plants.
Verizon striker run down as New York cops protect scabs
By Sandy English, 10 May 2016
A Verizon striker was struck by a van carrying scabs from a hotel in the borough of Queens in New York City. Strikers say the vehicle was driven by a uniformed cop.
New York Verizon strikers seek to break isolation of struggle
By our reporters, 6 May 2016
There is a growing mood of frustration among striking workers with the toothless protests and publicity stunts organized by the CWA and other unions.
In midst of water shutoffs, Flint water crisis
Detroit teachers shut schools for second day to protest non-payment of wages
By Thomas Gaist, 4 May 2016
The new attack on Detroit teachers is part of a wider assault on the working class being carried out by both big business parties and the Obama administration.
The Communications Workers of America, corporatism and the Verizon strike
By Shannon Jones, 3 May 2016
To oppose the sabotage of their battle by the CWA and the IBEW, Verizon workers need to be armed with a clear understanding of the nature of these organizations.
Verizon steps up strikebreaking after “last, best and final” offer
By Nick Barrickman, 2 May 2016
The company's demands for job cuts and sweeping health care and pension concessions, come as Verizon continues to post immense profits.
German public sector union holds “warning strikes”
By Marianne Arens, 29 April 2016
Selective strikes are taking place in the public sector across Germany this week, but the Verdi union is determined to impose attacks on wages and work conditions.
How the IBEW betrayed the 2014-2015 FairPoint Communications strike
By John Marion, 28 April 2016
The IBEW entered contract negotiations during the longest strike of 2014 with the expectation of giving up at least $200 million in concessions.
Unions provide platform for Democrats at Verizon strike rallies
By our reporters, 26 April 2016
Workers told the WSWS that they are increasingly frustrated and angry over the lack of information from the unions and the absence of any strategy to win the strike.
Strike of 39,000 Verizon workers nearing end of second week
By Samuel Davidson, 25 April 2016
Verizon is sticking to its demands for concessions, particularly cuts to healthcare and pensions, along with contract changes that would lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.
Sharp rise in US suicide rate
Eighty percent increase among middle-aged white women
By Kate Randall, 23 April 2016
The Centers for Disease Control study follows recent reports showing a decline in life expectancy among US whites and sharp increases in lifespan divergences between rich and poor.
General Motors posts record first-quarter profits
By Shannon Jones, 22 April 2016
The profit figures underscore the value of the 2015 GM-UAW contract to the giant automaker and its wealthiest investors, including the United Auto Workers bureaucracy.
Ford announces new small-vehicle plant in Mexico
By Marc Wells, 22 April 2016
Ford Motor Co. unveiled its plan to invest $1.6 billion to build a new small-vehicle plant in Mexico which will employ 2,800 workers.
“The company makes a billion dollars every quarter and is trying to take away everything”
Verizon refuses to budge on takeaway demands
By Jerry White, 22 April 2016
As the strike by 39,000 Verizon workers entered its second week, the giant telecom ramped up its provocations by charging strikers with “sabotage.”
Verizon workers confront strikebreaking operation
By Jerry White, 20 April 2016
While workers are determined to wage a militant battle, they have been repeatedly undermined by the telecom unions, which offered $200 million in concessions.
Seven dead, hundreds homeless in Houston, Texas flood
By Shelley Connor, 20 April 2016
Houston’s working class residents have been forced to flee rising waters with little assistance from the city or state governments.
Verizon strike at critical juncture
By Jerry White, 19 April 2016
While workers have displayed determination and tenacity, every action by the CWA and IBEW has only encouraged the intransigence of the telecom giant.
Unions try to isolate embattled Verizon strikers
By Jerry White, 18 April 2016
As 39,000 workers fight the telecom giant, the trade unions are doing everything they can to isolate workers and force them into submission.
Verizon workers speak as strike enters new week
By our reporters, 18 April 2016
The WSWS Verizon Strike Newsletter spoke to workers on the picket lines in Northern Virginia and New York City.
“There is a lot of frustration about going back to work in 2011 without a contract”
Tensions mount as Verizon strike continues
By our reporters, 16 April 2016
Striking workers said they are determined to continue the struggle in the face of open strikebreaking by the company, which has trained 20,000 nonunion management personnel as replacements.
Verizon workers speak on issues in strike
By our reporters, 14 April 2016
The walkout is an expression of the pent up anger of workers all across the US after years of declining or stagnating wages and record corporate profits.
The political issues in the Verizon strike
By Barry Grey, 14 April 2016
The strike by 39,000 Verizon workers against the corporate behemoth is an expression of the growing class consciousness and militancy that underlies the deepening political turmoil in the United States.
Unions at telecom giant Verizon announce April 13 strike deadline
By Maria Kovalenko, 12 April 2016
If the walkout takes place it would involve some 40,000 communication workers on the East Coast of the US, from Massachusetts to Virginia.
ATI steelworkers in US return to work
By Evan Winters, 12 April 2016
The contract approved March 1 after a seven-month lockout, essentially reduces workers to the status of casual laborers, completely at the mercy of the company.
“I am certain the UAW knew about this. They sell us out all the time.”
Facing layoffs, Detroit area Fiat Chrysler workers denounce UAW
By Shannon Jones, 12 April 2016
A WSWS reporting team spoke to workers Monday at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) where 1,300 workers are set to be laid off July 5.
Alpha Natural Resources asks court to shred collective bargaining agreements
By Clement Daly, 12 April 2016
Alpha’s petition to get rid of its union contracts threatens the living standards of 610 coal miners and 4,800 retirees and dependents.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 April 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Nexteer Automotive workers report arbitrary firings, harassment
By Shannon Jones, 11 April 2016
Three months after the United Auto Workers rammed through a sellout deal, workers are being victimized and are discovering contract concessions not previously disclosed by the UAW.
Caltrans workers rally in Sacramento and San Bernardino
By our reporters, 11 April 2016
Caltrans workers held three rallies across California last week to demand higher pay and benefits, improved safety and a draw-down in the hiring of contract workers.
Fifty years since the Delano to Sacramento march: The myth of Cesar Chavez and the collapse of the United Farm Workers
Part one
By Eric London, 11 April 2016
The union founded by Chavez has become nothing more than a business operated by family members.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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