Workers Issues in the US
Iowa worker killed in partial mine collapse
By Matt Rigel and Marcus Day, 27 January 2017
In the first US mining fatality of 2017, a truck operator died after a partial collapse at Linwood Mining and Mineral in eastern Iowa.
Video game industry strike in US now second-longest in screen actors’ history
By Kevin Martinez, 27 January 2017
The 99-day strike over pay and work conditions involves voice actors who perform for the highly profitable video game industry.
New York raises transit fares as train and bus workers vote on concessions deal
By Alan Whyte, 27 January 2017
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation voted Wednesday to increase its fare and tolls about 4 percent.
Book review
Lessons from the 1937 Little Steel strike in the US
The Last Great Strike: Little Steel, the CIO, and the Struggle for Labor Rights in New Deal America, by Ahmed White
By Tom Mackaman, 23 January 2017
If the Little Steel Strike has been ignored by historians, it is perhaps because it does not fit the standard narrative of American labor history.
Automakers announce US investments, anticipate big profits under Trump
By Jerry White, 20 January 2017
Over the past weeks major US- and foreign-based automakers have announced they will maintain or expand production in the US and, in some cases, trim back operations in Mexico.
“We should take a stand and reject this contract”
New York transit workers denounce sellout agreement
By a WSWS reporting team, 20 January 2017
New York transit workers will be voting on a tentative agreement that will continue the erosion of their living standards and working conditions.
Union reaches deal to block New York transit workers from recouping concessions
By Alan Whyte, 18 January 2017
Transport Workers Union Local 100 announced an agreement Monday that will do nothing to stop the erosion of living standards for 38,000 bus and subway workers in New York.
New York transit workers denounce sellout
By our reporting team, 18 January 2017
Transit workers spoke to the World Socialist Web Site after the Transport Workers Union announced a deal for a new four-year agreement covering 38,000 bus and subway workers employed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA).
Dayton transit workers set to vote on sellout contract
By Shannon Jones, 17 January 2017
Published details of the agreement include a major attack on health care benefits and a derisory pay increase.
New York City transit workers and riders made to pay for system’s ballooning debt
By Philip Guelpa, 16 January 2017
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs New York City’s buses and subways, is tens of billions of dollars in debt.
Ford contract worker killed at Rouge complex outside of Detroit
By Tim Rivers, 14 January 2017
A contract worker, Ricky Mcintosh, died Wednesday morning after a fall from an overhead crane.
“The union is not for us”
Detroit autoworkers speak out against GM layoffs
By Shannon Jones, 14 January 2017
With layoffs scheduled for March 5, workers are facing temporary plant closures that play havoc with their lives and finances.
Low turnout for University of California workers’ one-day strike
By our reporters, 11 January 2017
Teamsters Local 2010, which represents over 12,000 UC administrative, support and clerical staff, staged a limited one-day strike Tuesday.
Ohio workers face precedent-setting pension and retiree health cuts
By Evan Winters, 11 January 2017
Members of Cleveland Iron Workers Local 17 are being forced by their union to vote on whether to cut current pensions in half, or lose everything within ten years.
Dayton, Ohio transit workers strike over wages, health care
By Shannon Jones, 10 January 2017
The walkout by 463 drivers and mechanics is the first by transit workers in Dayton in nearly 60 years.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 10 January 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
As contract expiration nears, union moves to block fight by New York transit workers
By Alan Whyte, 9 January 2017
Transport Workers Union Local 100 officials have praised state Democrats who have overseen the attack on workers’ wages and pensions.
“The working class needs better health care, wages, and retirement.”
New York transit workers discuss issues in contract battle
By a WSWS reporting team, 9 January 2017
Transit workers who came to the mass membership meeting spoke to the WSWS about their most pressing concerns.
Macy’s, Sears announce mass layoffs, hundreds of store closings across the US
By Niles Niemuth, 6 January 2017
The closings and layoffs are an indication of the actual state of the economy, more than seven years after the beginning of the supposed economic “recovery.”
New York City transit workers must fight to defend living standards and basic rights!
By , 6 January 2017
The following statement is being distributed to New York City transit workers who are holding a mass meeting Saturday, ahead of the January 15 contract deadline for 30,000 bus drivers, subway workers and other transit authority workers.
The class struggle in the US in 2017
By Jerry White, 4 January 2017
This year promises to be one of increasing class struggle in the United States and around the world.
As strike enters third month
Momentive workers fight Trump’s billionaire appointee Schwarzman
By Philip Guelpa, 3 January 2017
The 700 striking workers at Momentive Performance Materials will be among the first to experience the full force of the Trump administration’s viciously anti-working class policies.
“People are working two to three Saturdays in a row and they are laying people off”
Anger mounting among US autoworkers in wake of GM layoff announcement
By Shannon Jones, 30 December 2016
Young workers and temporary workers will be hardest hit by the layoffs as many gave up other jobs to work at GM.
Trumka on Trump: AFL-CIO chief urges president-elect to work with unions to save capitalism
By Jerry White, 30 December 2016
AFL-CIO head Trumka wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times offering the services of the unions to suppress working-class opposition to the incoming administration.
“They have no concern for workers. You are just a number”
US autoworkers express anger, opposition to GM layoffs
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 December 2016
Autoworkers reacted with anger and defiance in the face of the announcement by GM that it is cutting 1,192 jobs at the company’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant.
“Instacart is stealing, manipulating and creating stress”
US grocery delivery workers file lawsuit over reduced pay
By Kevin Martinez, 23 December 2016
Instacart, like ride services Uber and Lyft, classifies their workers as “independent contractors” to avoid having to pay benefits and overtime.
New York Daily News column hails assassination of Russian ambassador
By Bill Van Auken, 23 December 2016
The filthy column supporting the assassination was made even more offensive by comparing the Turkish cop who carried it out to 17-year-old Herschel Grynszpan, who shot and killed a Nazi official in 1938.
US coal miners hit by sharp rise in deadliest black lung disease
By Clement Daly, 19 December 2016
New reports have revealed a spike in the deadliest forms of the respiratory disease, which miners contract by inhaling coal dust.
The United Steelworkers, Wilbur Ross and economic nationalism
By Evan Winters, 14 December 2016
The USW has a long history of collaborating with billionaire asset stripper Wilbur Ross, Trump’s pick for commerce secretary.
US coal miners face cutoff of health, pension benefits
By Jerry White, 13 December 2016
More than 120,000 retired coal miners are threatened with the cutoff of health and pension benefits over the next several months as the United Mine Workers Health and Retirement Fund runs out of money.
Judge temporarily delays imposition of draconian contract on Illinois state workers
By George Gallanis, 12 December 2016
The legal maneuver by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is aimed at convincing the governor to let the union impose his deep cuts.
Michigan legislature targets school employee pensions
By Shannon Jones, 8 December 2016
Republican lawmakers are seeking to end defined benefit pensions for new hires under conditions in which the entire system is massively underfunded.
After Carrier deal, effusive praise for Trump from steelworkers union
By Jerry White, 7 December 2016
The United Steelworkers union praised Trump’s protectionist and chauvinist policies along with his deal with Carrier, which will wipe out 1,300 of the firm’s 2,100 production jobs in Indiana.
120,000 coal miners face loss of retirement benefits
By Clement Daly, 7 December 2016
The growing insolvency of the various UMWA health and retirement funds is rooted in the continuing global economic crisis and the resulting collapse of commodities prices.
Union cancels strike by California state workers, seeks to impose concessions
By Dan Conway, 5 December 2016
The Service Employees International Union called off the strike by 95,000 California state workers to prevent a struggle against the austerity measures of Governor Brown and the Democrats.
Trump outlines right-wing program of extreme nationalism at Cincinnati rally
By Joseph Kishore and Jerry White, 2 December 2016
While couched in populist rhetoric, Trump’s proposals center on corporate tax cuts and deregulation, combined with expanding the military, widening police powers and curtailing immigration.
Former Bethlehem Steel plant near Buffalo, New York destroyed by fire
By Jason Melanovski, 2 December 2016
The massive fire last month exposed firefighters and residents in nearby neighborhoods to smoke and high levels of carcinogens, leaving homes covered in toxic soot.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 29 November 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Federal judge blocks new Obama administration overtime rules
By Shannon Jones, 28 November 2016
The court ruling upset 70 years of prior precedent that gave the Labor Department the authority to set rules regulating overtime pay.
After six-month lockout, workers reject UAW-Honeywell ultimatum
By Jerry White, 26 November 2016
Honeywell workers in the US are waging a courageous struggle against corporate management and the UAW, which is backing the company’s demands for health care concessions.
Four workers critically injured in fire at Louisiana refinery
By Tom Hall, 26 November 2016
The fire at ExxonMobil’s Baton Rouge refinery, the fourth largest in the country, flows from the betrayal of the 2015 refinery strike by the United Steel Workers union.
Sharp Healthcare nurses in San Diego, California to begin three-day strike
By Marko Leone, 26 November 2016
Nurses are determined to fight, while the union has called a limited strike to let off steam while it works to impose a contract on management’s terms.
Incoming Trump administration prepares assault on federal workers
By Nick Barrickman, 25 November 2016
In the first of many attacks on the living standards of American workers, the incoming Trump administration is targeting federal employees for job and pension cuts.
Construction accident in Queens, New York kills two workers
By Mark Witkowski, 25 November 2016
In the drive to maximize profit for the construction and real estate industries, the safety and well-being of workers is given a back seat to the demands of real estate developers.
Significant opposition as Philadelphia transit workers ratify contract
By Alan Whyte, 21 November 2016
After shutting down a six-day strike to boost the vote for Hillary Clinton, the Transport Workers Union imposed a concessions deal on Philadelphia transit workers.
Barnard College contingent faculty vote on strike authorization
By Sandy English, 19 November 2016
Part-time and temporary faculty at Columbia University’s Barnard College in New York City began voting on a strike authorization this week.
Contract worker killed at Indiana steel mill
By Jessica Goldstein, 18 November 2016
The death of a contract truck driver at ArcelorMittal in Burns Harbor, Indiana, highlights the deadly consequences of the corporate cost-cutting drive backed by the unions.
“Workers are going to see Trump is not going to do anything for them”
Autoworkers react to the election of Trump
By Shannon Jones, 17 November 2016
Autoworkers contacted by the WSWS acknowledged that Trump had been able to tap into the deep social anger and alienation among workers towards the political establishment.
Strikers at Momentive plants vote down union-backed sellout deal
By Philip Guelpa, 9 November 2016
By a more than a 2-to-1 margin, Momentive workers rejected a second contract offer that was even worse than the first.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
By , 9 November 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Transit officials, Democrats seek injunction to break Philadelphia transit strike
By Alan Whyte, 7 November 2016
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Democrats on the local and state level want to use the courts to end the strike.
Momentive workers strongly oppose tentative agreement
By Philip Guelpa, 7 November 2016
Momentive Performance Materials is seeking major concessions from its thousand-strong workforce, continuing the trend in past contracts.
California state workers to vote on strike authorization
By Dan Conway, 4 November 2016
The union fears that a strike will cut across its support for the Democratic Brown administration and the Democratic Party.
Class struggle in US intensifies on eve of election
By Jerry White, 4 November 2016
There is growing opposition among American workers to corporate and government demands for endless rollbacks in wages, health care and pension benefits.
Nearly one-third of Chicago teachers reject CTU concessions deal
By Alexander Fangmann, 3 November 2016
The Chicago Teachers Union on Tuesday announced the ratification of a concessions-laden contract.
Pittsburgh Symphony musicians begin their second month on strike
By Samuel Davidson, 3 November 2016
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians are fighting against pay cuts and job reductions.
Musicians speak out at Pittsburgh Symphony strike support concert
By Evan Winters, 3 November 2016
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians spoke to the World Socialist Web Site on the importance public access to arts, especially in schools, after a Halloween-themed concert to support striking orchestra musicians. Over sixty musicians played to an enthusiastic audience of 350.
Strike pits Philadelphia transit workers against budget-cutting Democrats
By Alan Whyte, 3 November 2016
The strike by nearly 5,000 Philadelphia transit workers is an expression of the growing militancy of workers on the eve of the US presidential elections.
Officials threaten court action against Philadelphia transit strikers
By Alan Whyte, 2 November 2016
Transit workers are in a battle against the attack on health benefits, which is being spearheaded by the Obama administration.
Philadelphia transit workers go on strike
By Alan Whyte, 1 November 2016
The nearly 5,000 transit workers are seeking improvements in pensions and resisting management demands for increased health care costs.
Workers Struggles: the Americas
By , 1 November 2016
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Vote by Chicago teachers on concessions contract begins today, after postponement
By Kristina Betinis, 31 October 2016
The decision by the Chicago Teachers Union to delay the vote by two days, supposedly to allow teachers to read the contract, is an indication that there is widespread opposition.
Harvard concedes main demands of dining hall workers to end strike
By Mike Ingram, 31 October 2016
The strike of Harvard dining hall workers ended after three weeks with a new contract that appears to satisfy the main issues of health care and wages that prompted the strike.
Strikes end at Libbey Glass in Ohio and Jim Beam in Kentucky
By Shannon Jones, 29 October 2016
The strikes by glassmakers and distillery workers are part of a nationwide uptick in strike activity that reflects a growing spirit of resistance.
Boston: Two excavation workers drown in a 12-foot-deep trench
By John Marion, 24 October 2016
While the contractor for the job has been cited dozens of times for safety violations, it is not the only construction company risking the lives of Massachusetts workers.
Five thousand faculty strike at Pennsylvania state campuses
By Samuel Davidson and Douglas Lyons, 20 October 2016
The strike by Pennsylvania faculty is an expression of growing social opposition among different sections of workers in the run-up to the US election.
Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates approves concessions contract
By our reporter, 20 October 2016
Both district officials and union leaders are hailing as a success a contract that will escalate the attack on teachers, while paving the way for the closure of more public schools.
Chicago charter school union announces contract deal
By Jeff Lusanne, 20 October 2016
The American Federation of Teachers has helped craft a new contract for charter school teachers in Chicago that mirrors a concessions contract accepted for public school teachers.
Ohio glass workers discuss strike with SEP presidential candidate Jerry White
By a WSWS reporting team, 20 October 2016
Workers in the second week of their strike against the multinational glass maker are determined to resist further attacks on working conditions, health insurance and pay.
Philadelphia transit workers vote to strike
By Alan Whyte, 19 October 2016
Nearly 6,000 bus, subway and trolley operators, cashiers and mechanics have voted to stop work if a new labor agreement is not reached by October 31.
Cleveland teacher denounces sellout contract
By Phyllis Steele, 18 October 2016
Teachers rejected a contract backed by the unions and the entire political establishment that would accelerate the attack on public education.
Food safety concerns as Harvard dining workers’ strike enters second week
By Mike Ingram, 15 October 2016
The ongoing strike by Harvard dining workers has led to concerns over food safety amid reports of under-cooked food being served to students.
Minnesota nurses’ union claims contract ratification amidst opposition
By Matt Rigel and Anthony Bertolt, 14 October 2016
The contract presented and supported by the MNA is nearly identical to proposals previously rejected four times by nurses, who had been on strike for six weeks.
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.
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