Workers Issues in the US
Workers struggles mount in run-up to US election
By Jerry White, 6 October 2016
Strikes by nurses, orchestra musicians other sections of public and private sector workers reveals the broad scope of social opposition in the United States.
Harvard dining hall workers strike over health insurance, wages
By Kate Randall, 6 October 2016
The strike by Harvard University Dining Services workers is the first since 1983, and the first ever during the academic year.
Faculty set October 19 strike date at Pennsylvania universities
By Samuel Davidson, 6 October 2016
Professors and faculty members at Pennsylvania’s 14 state-run universities have voted overwhelmingly to go on strike against cuts to health benefits and the expanded use of adjunct professors.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh orchestra musicians on strike
By Fred Mazelis, 3 October 2016
The musicians in both the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony face demands for concessions from wealthy patrons and management.
Worker killed at US Steel mill in Indiana
By Jessica Goldstein, 3 October 2016
The death of Jonathan Arrizola comes amid a wave of layoffs at the US Steel mill in Gary, Indiana and rising complaints over unsafe conditions.
Defeat MNA sellout!
Mobilize the working class behind the Minnesota nurses strike!
By Ron Jorgenson, 3 October 2016
The fact that the unions could bring such a sellout agreement to a vote only underscores the need for nurses to take the conduct of the strike into their own hands.
Walmart to cut 7,000 back-office jobs in the US
By Jessica Goldstein, 29 September 2016
The announcement of mass layoffs at the largest employer in the US comes amid a wave of cuts in the retail industry.
Negotiations resume as Minneapolis nurses’ strike enters fourth week
By Ron Jorgenson, 27 September 2016
The federal mediator's recall of both sides indicates that the company, union and Democratic Party are preparing to force through a sellout contract against the resistance of striking nurses.
Allina nurses’ strike and the union’s fraudulent “corporate campaign”
By Ron Jorgenson, 21 September 2016
The AFL-CIO has long used such campaigns to block any genuine mobilization of the working class against the government-backed corporate attacks.
Long Island University lockout ends with contract extension and no issues resolved
By Alan Whyte, 19 September 2016
The union, which has pledged not to strike through the 2016-1017 school year, also agreed to mediation in future negotiations for a settlement.
Detroit Federation of Teachers pushes through sellout contract
By Nancy Hanover, 19 September 2016
Educators greeted the agreement with anger and skepticism in the face of the concerted attempts by the union to derail their struggles over the course of the last year.
Auto companies continue assault on jobs, working conditions
One year since 2015 US auto contract battle
By Shannon Jones, 17 September 2016
The warning raised by the SEP and the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter about the rotten nature of the contracts negotiated by the UAW is being borne out.
Opposition grows to skilled trades reorganization at Fiat Chrysler
By Shannon Jones, 12 September 2016
The changes are correctly seen as a means of eliminating skilled trades jobs, which traditionally require more training and are paid at a higher rate.
Vote “No” on Detroit Federation of Teachers’ contract!
By Nancy Hanover, 12 September 2016
The American Federation of Teachers is demanding that educators acquiesce to low pay, overcrowded classrooms, unsafe buildings and more school closures.
Allina Health, media, join forces to break Twin Cities nurses as union isolates strike
By Ron Jorgenson, 10 September 2016
The Minnesota Nurses Association is continuing to isolate the strike, now in its sixth day, while appealing to the company to accept the concessions contract the union has proposed.
Arbitration results in concessionary contract for US postal workers
By Hector Cordon, 9 September 2016
The contract recently imposed on members of the American Postal Workers Union by national arbitrators continues the attack on the wages, benefits and working conditions.
Long Island University-Brooklyn locks out 400 professors
By Daniel de Vries and Allen Whyte, 9 September 2016
LIU’s action marks the first time a university has used a lockout to impose concessions on faculty.
Long Island University faculty and students oppose lockout
By a WSWS reporting team, 9 September 2016
Faculty and students spoke with the WSWS about LIU’s lockout of 400 faculty members at the beginning of the fall semester.
“Health care is a human right”
Minneapolis students express support for striking Allina nurses
By Matt Rigel and Anthony Bertolt, 8 September 2016
As management continues operations with the use of strikebreakers, the union is keeping nurses throughout the region on the job and is doing nothing to mobilize broader support in the working class.
Mass layoff at Harley-Davidson in York, Pennsylvania
By Douglas Lyons, 5 September 2016
Harley-Davidson has recently announced approximately 200 workers will be laid off due to declining profits.
Mobilize the entire working class in the Twin Cities
Defend the striking Allina nurses!
By Ron Jorgenson, 5 September 2016
4,800 nurses at five hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area begin a strike today to defend their health care benefits and oppose dangerous patient-to-nurse ratios.
Minnesota nurses union calls open-ended strike for Labor Day
By Matt Rigel, 1 September 2016
The Minnesota Nurses Association has called a strike under pressure from rank-and-file nurses.
“The union is letting the company do what it wants”
Fiat Chrysler CEO issues threat to Detroit jeep workers
By Shannon Jones, 1 September 2016
In a not so veiled warning, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchione told Jefferson North workers last week that the status of their facility is up in the air.
Union blocks teachers’ strike as Clinton comes to Cleveland
By Phyllis Steele, 31 August 2016
The Cleveland Teachers Union called off Thursday’s strike to prevent a confrontation with the Democrats and the Obama administration’s attack on public education.
Cleveland teachers threaten walkout as school year begins
By Jerry White, 29 August 2016
More than 5,000 teachers have voted to strike over “performance pay” and other attacks in America’s second poorest big city.
“There is going to be a civil war in this country”
SEP presidential candidate Jerry White campaigns at Detroit auto factory
By a WSWS reporting team, 26 August 2016
An SEP campaign team encountered widespread hostility to the establishment candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and openness to a socialist alternative.
Minnesota nurses authorize open-ended strike against Allina
By Matt Rigel, 22 August 2016
The MNA has refused to call a strike, even though nurses have once again overwhelmingly rejected Allina Health’s demands for cuts to health care benefits and heavier workloads.
The Obamacare counterrevolution six years on
By Kate Randall, 22 August 2016
The Obama administration’s signature domestic “achievement” stands exposed as a plan concocted by and for the insurance companies and corporate America to slash their costs and increase their profits.
Cisco to cut 5,500 jobs, adding to wave of US tech layoffs
By Barry Grey, 19 August 2016
So far this year, American technology companies have eliminated 63,000 jobs.
“The union signed away their rights”
Verizon strikers remain victimized 12 weeks after end of strike
By Shannon Jones, 19 August 2016
Since the Communications Workers of America sold out the seven-week Verizon strike in May, the union has said nothing about the fate of some two dozen workers victimized by management in the course of the walkout.
West coast dockworkers’ union to discuss contract extension
By Hector Cordon, 19 August 2016
Discussion on a contract extension demanded by shippers and the Obama administration opens the door to further concessions on the part of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
UFCW agrees to meager “pay raise” for Southern California grocery workers
By Jake Dean, 15 August 2016
After workers have been without a contract for over three months, and while many scrape by on part-time and meager wages, the union is pawning off the contract as a victory.
Signs of slowdown in US auto industry
By Shannon Jones, 13 August 2016
Ford, General Motors and Toyota recorded sales declines in July.
Wall Street celebrates mass layoffs by Macy’s
By Patrick Martin, 12 August 2016
The largest US department store chain announced it would close 100 stores, which will likely eliminate more than 12,000 jobs.
Illinois officials prepare all-out assault on state workers
By Alexander Fangmann, 12 August 2016
Republican governor Bruce Rauner is preparing to impose sweeping concessions on state workers with the complicity of AFSCME.
Low-income retirees in the Detroit-area face abysmal housing conditions
By Debra Watson and Catherine Long, 8 August 2016
An acute lack of affordable housing along with deplorable conditions in existing housing stock has left tens of thousands without a safe and healthy place to live out their retirement.
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.
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