Workers Issues in the US
Clinton, Obama tout tepid US jobs report
By Shannon Jones, 6 August 2016
A closer look at the employment numbers for July reveals many indications of continuing economic stagnation and deepening hardship for wide layers of the population.
As strike enters second month
Owners announce plan to close Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort next month
By E.P. Bannon, 5 August 2016
Despite the owners’ claim that the strike caused the casino’s closure, the shutdown was planned far in advance.
Minnesota nurses contract talks continue with Allina Health
By Matt Rigel, 23 July 2016
Negotiators for Allina Health are sticking fast to their demands for the gutting of health care plans for 4,800 nurses in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro region.
California transportation workers reject sellout contract
By Isaac Finn, 21 July 2016
Caltrans maintenance workers, who have been working without a contract for a year, voted by 67 percent to reject a proposed contract and authorize a strike.
Hillary Clinton uses Atlantic City casino strikers as campaign props
By Genevieve Leigh, 7 July 2016
In a gesture to the unions, Clinton used her speech to promote economic nationalism.
Trump Taj Mahal casino workers strike continues through July Fourth weekend
By Genevieve Leigh, 5 July 2016
Nearly 1,000 workers at The Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City continued their walkout, fighting for restored health and pension benefits and a pay increase.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
5 July 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Dow Chemical slashes 2,500 jobs ahead of DuPont merger
By our reporter, 30 June 2016
The layoffs, which will hit workers in Michigan, North Carolina and Japan, are just the beginning of the bloodletting being prepared by the merging chemical giants.
UAW exposes secret 2014 deal with Volkswagen to recognize union
By Shannon Jones, 28 June 2016
Behind the backs of workers who had voted to reject UAW affiliation, the union tops conspired with management to unilaterally impose the UAW on a recalcitrant workforce.
Half of ArcelorMittal workers abstain as USW pushes through concessions deal
By Evan Winters, 27 June 2016
The deal paves the way for an accelerated attack on the jobs, wages, health and retiree benefits of workers at the US facilities owned by the world’s largest steelmaking company.
Nurses unions shut down emerging strike wave
By Eric London, 27 June 2016
The World Socialist Web Site spoke to nurses on the picket line in Los Angeles who were eager to continue the fight against for-profit health care.
Minnesota nurses union ends strike without new contract
By Anthony Bertolt and Matt Rigel, 27 June 2016
As the week-long walkout by Minnesota nurses concludes, nurses have been ordered back to work without the slightest concession from Allina Health executives.
Minnesota and Los Angeles nurses fight cost-cutting measures
By Matt Rigel, 24 June 2016
Los Angeles nurses began a four-day strike Thursday, joining 4,800 striking nurses in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.
Twin Cities nurses strike against gutting of health care benefits
By Anthony Bertolt and Matt Rigel, 20 June 2016
Minnesota nurses are engaged in a week-long strike to oppose attacks on employee health benefits and chronic work overloads.
St. Petersburg, Florida: Wastewater workers under sustained attack by city officials in storm’s wake
By Matthew MacEgan, 20 June 2016
A major tropical storm has again exposed the mismanagement of St. Petersburg city officials, who are threatening the jobs of employees who oppose them.
Eleven workers hospitalized after chemical leak at Nestlé plant in Illinois
By George Gallanis, 18 June 2016
The Nestlé Willy Wonka candy manufacturing plant in Itasca, Illinois, was evacuated early Friday morning after a burst pipe leaked out lithium chloride.
Unite US and Mexican workers!
The working class must stop the Carrier factory closures!
By Jerry White—Socialist Equality Party candidate for president, 18 June 2016
The fight to defend jobs requires a unified fight against the capitalist system
US steelworkers continue voting on ArcelorMittal contract
By Evan Winters, 17 June 2016
The limited information released by the company and the USW makes clear this is a major betrayal that attempts to shift the crisis of the steel industry onto the backs of workers.
12,000 Caltrans workers offered effective pay decrease in new contract
By Gabriel Black, 16 June 2016
Caltrans workers were given ballots Monday to vote on the new contract agreement reached between the state government and the International Union of Operating Engineers.
As voting on Verizon sellout winds down workers express concerns over jobs, healthcare
By our reporters, 14 June 2016
With voting ending at the end of this week, workers have yet to see the full contract, which includes some $200 million in health care cuts.
Tampa, Florida teachers speak out against proposed layoffs and expanding class sizes
By Matthew MacEgan, 11 June 2016
A consulting group hired by the Tampa school district has recommended cutting 1,761 jobs, including more than 1,000 teacher positions.
Two UAW officials injured in shooting near Ford Chicago Assembly Plant
By Marcus Day, 7 June 2016
Two United Auto Workers officials were shot in a dispute Friday night following the announcement of the union’s local election results.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 June 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
San Diego transit strike called off after agreement announced
By our reporters, 6 June 2016
Terms of the new contract covering workers at First Transit have not been made available by either the company or the union.
“Why should CEOs get double and triple raises and we get health care cuts?
Verizon workers discuss CWA contract betrayal
By Shannon Jones, 6 June 2016
The Communications Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the media have unleashed a barrage of propaganda to back the sellout deal
Lessons of the Verizon strike
By Jerry White, 2 June 2016
The CWA and IBEW conspired with the Obama administration to prevent a unified struggle of workers against declining real wages and the explosion of social inequality.
Returning Verizon workers face consequences of CWA betrayal
By Nick Barrickman, 2 June 2016
With Verizon workers demobilized by the unions, management set out to implement a new regime of harassment by victimizing militant workers for wearing red strike T-shirts.
International Socialist Organization covers for CWA sabotage of Verizon strike
By Daniel de Vries and Joseph Kishore, 1 June 2016
The ISO’s Socialist Worker, along with Jacobin magazine, are stepping up efforts to provide a left cover for the shut-down of the Verizon strike by the CWA and the IBEW.
Anger builds against CWA conspiracy to end Verizon strike
By Shannon Jones, 31 May 2016
Workers are opposing the attempt by the unions to shut down the Verizon strike and ram through a sellout agreement without discussion or review.
No contract, No work!
Stop the CWA-IBEW sabotage of Verizon strike!
By the WSWS Verizon Strike Newsletter, 31 May 2016
Workers must demand that the CWA and IBEW rescind their back-to-work order and give them sufficient time to study and vote on any agreement before returning to their jobs.
Opposition grows to CWA effort to shut down Verizon strike
By Shannon Jones, 30 May 2016
After announcing an “agreement in principle,” the CWA and IBEW are attempting to shut down the strike before workers review and vote on a new contract.
San Diego transit workers in third day of walkout over pay and benefits
By Norisa Diaz, 27 May 2016
The MTS strike follows industrial action by 1,700 San Diego AT&T telecommunications workers.
CWA, IBEW maintain silence on talks, continue to isolate Verizon strike
By Nick Barrickman, 27 May 2016
The union executives’ collusion in the information blackout demanded by the Obama administration is a telltale sign that they are preparing a sellout of the embattled Verizon workers.
CWA ends San Diego AT&T strike to further isolate Verizon fight
By Nick Barrickman, 26 May 2016
The Communications Workers of America shut down the strike by AT&T West on Tuesday in an effort to block a wider strike by telecom workers on both coasts.
With Verizon sticking to demands, workers look to break CWA isolation of strike
By Samuel Davidson, 25 May 2016
Verizon's chief executive officer made it clear at a conference of telecom executives Tuesday that the company will not back down on its demands for sweeping job cuts and concessions.
“The bottom line is money”
Video: AT&T workers in San Diego on strike
By our reporters, 25 May 2016
The WSWS spoke to some of the 1,700 striking AT&T workers about the political issues involved in their strike and the ongoing strike of 39,000 workers at Verizon.
SEP presidential candidate Jerry White speaks with locked out Honeywell workers in Indiana
By our reporters, 25 May 2016
Workers at Honeywell International have been locked out since May 9, after rejecting the company’s demands for slashing health care and other benefits.
Telecom, airlines, retail, manufacturing workers entering battles
Growing signs of a resurgence of class conflict in the US
By Jerry White, 24 May 2016
The growth of the class struggle in the US poses the need for a unified fight by the working class against the capitalist system and the two big business parties that defend it.
AT&T West strike in San Diego begins to break CWA isolation of Verizon struggle
By Shannon Jones, 23 May 2016
Despite the efforts of the CWA and other unions, telecom workers are striving to carry out national action against the attacks on their jobs and living standards.
AT&T West strike in San Diego begins to break CWA isolation of Verizon struggle
By Shannon Jones, 23 May 2016
Despite the efforts of the CWA and other unions, telecom workers are striving to carry out national action against the attacks on their jobs and living standards.
SEP presidential candidate visits locked-out Honeywell workers in Indiana
By our reporter, 23 May 2016
More than 300 workers in South Bend, Indiana have been locked out since May 9, after they overwhelmingly rejected the aerospace component giant’s “last, best and final offer.”
Growing anger among Verizon strikers as CWA and IBEW prepare sellout
By Nick Barrickman, 20 May 2016
After telling workers they would not accede to Verizon’s demands for a federal mediator, the CWA and the IBEW agreed to mediation as talks restarted Tuesday.
As CWA prepares sellout, Verizon strikers discuss way forward on WSWS online call
By our reporter, 20 May 2016
Verizon strikers from throughout the East Coast of the United States discussed and debated the way forward during a two-hour call hosted by the WSWS Verizon Strike Newsletter.
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 America 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.
Follow the WSWS