Workers Issues in the US
The way forward for West Coast port truck drivers
By Dan Conway and Jerry White, 4 July 2017
The Teamsters union shut down the strike, the 15th such walkout over the last four years, without resolving any of the critical issues demanded by the drivers.
Two US coal miners killed in June
By Naomi Spencer, 1 July 2017
The deaths of two coal miners last month put 2017 on track to reach fatality figures not seen since the relative boom period of 2011-13.
California Amazon worker speaks out:
“Amazon fired me because I complained about age discrimination”
By Evan Blake, 20 June 2017
The former Amazon employee described a climate of favoritism and abuse against older workers at the multinational behemoth's warehouses.
Los Angeles and Long Beach port truckers strike over misclassification
Workers Struggles: The Americas
20 June 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature by writing to comments@wsws.org.
Trump administration rolls back “joint-employer” labor provision in favor of big business
By E.P. Milligan, 13 June 2017
The decision will serve to further empower the major corporations while reducing their accountability and restricting the rights of workers.
Trump, the coal miners and the environment
By Jerry White, 6 June 2017
Stripped of the demagogy and lies, the line of the Trump administration amounts to the proposition that miners must place their full trust and confidence in the benevolence of the coal bosses.
In move to compete with Amazon, Walmart asks workers to make deliveries during commute
By Evan Blake, 6 June 2017
The two companies are competing with one another to cut costs and boost profits by increasing the exploitation of their workforces.
Settlement at AT&T; West, DirecTV, while Spectrum telecom strike continues
Workers Struggles: the Americas
6 June 2017
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GM announces more layoffs as US auto sales decline
By Shannon Jones, 3 June 2017
General Motors announced 300 job cuts at its Warren, Michigan transmission plant amid continuing signs of a slowdown in US auto sales after a seven-year boom.
Three Wisconsin workers die in corn mill explosion, several more seriously injured
By Gary Joad, 3 June 2017
Federal agencies have cited the company for multiple safety and environmental violations as far back as the early 2000s.
Amazon ordered employee to work despite heatstroke risk, sought to cover up incident
By Eric London, 30 May 2017
The young Virginia worker told the International Amazon Workers Voice that she has still not received medical attention despite suffering long-term health effects.
Rampant safety hazards, wage theft on Nashville construction sites
By Warren Duzak, 26 May 2017
In a survey of 1,435 construction workers in six major southern US cities, Nashville ranked number one in the frequency of injuries.
Caterpillar, Butterball to close factories in Montgomery, Illinois, laying off 1,400 workers
By Marcus Day and George Marlowe, 24 May 2017
The dual factory closures in the far western suburbs of Chicago take place in an area already hard hit by decades of deindustrialization.
Wall Street engineers ouster of top Ford executives
By Jerry White, 23 May 2017
The management reshuffling at the number two US automaker, described in industry circles as a “coup,” underscores the complete domination of the banks and financial speculators.
San Diego, California school district pushes forward with layoffs and cuts
By Norisa Diaz and Toby Reese, 23 May 2017
Some 1,500 educators and support staff in the San Diego Unified School District have been finishing the school year with apprehension that they may not have a job next fall.
Strikes in Colombia underscore worsening conditions in schools and among workers
Workers Struggles: The Americas
23 May 2017
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“It is time we all stood up”
AT&T; workers call for broader fight as CWA ends weekend strike
By our reporting teams, 22 May 2017
AT&T; workers are determined to recoup past concessions, handed to the world’s largest company by the Communications Workers of America.
West Virginia coal miner killed at pit run by environmental fund
By Naomi Spencer, 22 May 2017
A West Virginia coal miner was killed May 18, bringing to seven the number of fatal coal mine accidents in the US this year.
Union conceals district’s takeaway demands from Detroit teachers
By Phyllis Steele, 22 May 2017
So egregious were the school board’s demands that the Detroit Federation of Teachers executive board could not bring it back to rank-and-file educators.
CWA begins three-day strike at AT&T; as US telecom workers press for real fight
By Mark Witkowski and Shannon Jones, 20 May 2017
While continuing the isolation of workers at Spectrum, the CWA has organized a token, three-day, strike against AT&T; West and AT&T; Mobility.
CWA threatens weekend strike at AT&T; as US telecom workers press for real fight
By Mark Witkowski and Shannon Jones, 19 May 2017
While continuing the isolation of workers at Spectrum, the CWA has called for a token, three-day strike against AT&T; West and AT&T; Mobility.
US autoworkers discuss Ford job cuts, Washington political crisis
By Shannon Jones, 18 May 2017
The cutbacks are a further indication that the boom in auto sales is coming to an end.
University of Puerto Rico students protest austerity measures
By Rafael Azul, 16 May 2017
Striking students occupying the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras are defying a court order to end their protest.
Wildcat strike at Mexican auto parts plant
Workers Struggles: The Americas
16 May 2017
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US auto profits soar as sales slowdown threatens more layoffs
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2017
Higher auto profits are being accompanied by job cuts as management intensifies its assault on autoworkers.
New evidence of UAW vote-rigging in 2015 Ford contract
Part Two
By Eric London, 11 May 2017
Documents provided to the World Socialist Web Site show a UAW conspiracy to silence autoworkers with access to evidence that the union committed election fraud to pass the 2015 contract with Ford.
New evidence of UAW vote-rigging in 2015 Ford contract
Part One
By Eric London, 9 May 2017
Information provided to the World Socialist Web Site shows a UAW conspiracy to silence autoworkers with evidence that the UAW committed election fraud to pass the 2015 Ford contract.
Each day 150 workers die in the US due to hazardous work conditions
By Matthew Taylor, 1 May 2017
A new report from the AFL-CIO details the perilous state of the US workplace
Trump pushes reactionary “Buy American, Hire American” plan
By Jerry White, 19 April 2017
Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday restricting visas for skilled immigrant workers and mandating the use of domestic products in federal projects.
Latest cuts plan at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe threatens 4,000 jobs
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 18 April 2017
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has adopted a new program of jobs and cost cutting aimed at slashing €500 million over the next three years.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Strikes hit mines in Peru and Mexico as retired US coal miners face health care cutoff
18 April 2017
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Two more US coal miners killed
By Naomi Spencer, 13 April 2017
Two accidents in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky coal mines bring to five the total number of US coal miners killed this year.
Chicago Teachers Union calls off one-day strike vote
By Kristina Betinis, 11 April 2017
Just hours before a scheduled vote on a one-day walkout union head Karen Lewis announced, “No, we’re not striking.”
No to San Diego school layoffs! Defend the right to high quality public education!
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 11 April 2017
There is widespread opposition to the layoffs of 1,500 teachers and staff, but to fight, school workers must build a political movement against the squandering of resources on war and the interests of the super-rich.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Mexican autoworkers strike, protests against IMF-dictated price hikes hit Suriname
11 April 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature by emailing information to comments@wsws.org.
Southern Illinois meatpacking workers enter third week of strike
By George Gallanis and Benjamin Mateus, 5 April 2017
Holten Meat packing workers near East St. Louis, Illinois are striking over work conditions and seniority rights.
Three dead, four injured in boiler explosion at St. Louis factory
By George Marlowe, 4 April 2017
Among those killed in the explosion were two newly hired workers filling out paperwork a block away at Faultless Healthcare Linens.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Anti-austerity protests hit Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico
4 April 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature by e-mailing to comments@wsws.org.
Days after UAW claims contract ratification
Caterpillar confirms plans to close Aurora, Illinois plant, lay off 800
By Marcus Day, 3 April 2017
There are reports of angry confrontations between workers and local UAW officials following the announcement.
Organizers win lawsuit against United Farm Workers for nearly $1 million in stolen wages
By Matthew Taylor, 3 April 2017
A California judge ordered the United Farmworkers of America to pay its organizers back wages after exploiting them and cheating them out of their pay.
Allegations of vote fraud mount
The UAW betrayal at Caterpillar and the case for rank-and-file committees
By Jerry White, 31 March 2017
The alleged ratification of the UAW-backed deal has provoked widespread charges of vote rigging and fraud.
Caterpillar workers react with anger, suspicion to UAW contract ratification
By Marcus Day, 29 March 2017
While the UAW has claimed that a new six-year contract with Caterpillar was approved by workers at ratification meetings Sunday, it has yet to release company-wide vote totals.
As Trump postures as friend of miners, retirees and widows face April 30 health care cutoff
By Samuel Davidson, 29 March 2017
On March 1, the United Mine Workers of America Health and Retirement Funds sent a letter to 22,600 retirees and widows informing them their retiree benefits would be cut off.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
Class struggle heats up in Latin America
28 March 2017
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“The way I look at it is, the UAW is Caterpillar”
Caterpillar workers in Peoria, Illinois denounce UAW sellout deal
By our reporters, 27 March 2017
Caterpillar workers voting in central Illinois Sunday spoke with the WSWS about the years of reversals they have suffered due to the treachery of the United Auto Workers union.
UAW-Caterpillar contract “highlights” reveal new attacks on jobs and wages
By Marcus Day, 24 March 2017
What little the UAW has revealed about its deal with Caterpillar points to an escalation of the union-backed corporate assault on workers.
Telecom union calls bogus “strike” at AT&T in California and Nevada
By Alan Gilman, 24 March 2017
After less than 24 hours, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) sent 17,000 AT&T; workers back to their jobs after the walkout, which was aimed at defusing workers’ anger and frustration.
“Don’t believe what they’re going to tell you”
As Caterpillar-UAW contract vote nears, Deere workers warn of union betrayal
By Marcus Day and George Gallanis, 22 March 2017
With just four days left before voting, workers at agricultural equipment giant Deere & Co. spoke on the lessons of their 2015 contract struggle.
“I think it’s a set-up with the union and Caterpillar”
Caterpillar-UAW deal: Workers denounce information blackout
By Marcus Day and George Marlowe, 21 March 2017
Less than a week before they are set to vote on a six-year contract proposal, workers have still not received any details on the content of the deal.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
21 March 2017
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Coal miner killed at mine owned by West Virginia governor
By Clement Daly, 18 March 2017
Jason Kenneth Matthews was killed at the Bishop Preparation Plant, owned by Jim Justice, West Virginia’s governor and richest man.
Los Angeles school district sends layoff notices to 1,600 administrators
By Dan Conway, 18 March 2017
The layoffs are part of an ongoing attempt to gut public education in the nation’s second largest school district.
Workers have the right to study the full contract!
Caterpillar-UAW deal: An anti-worker conspiracy
By Marcus Day, 18 March 2017
In an attempt to overcome worker opposition to further concessions, the UAW and Caterpillar are coordinating an information blackout over details of a proposed six-year contract announced Wednesday.
Rockford, Illinois public school employees go on strike
By George Gallanis, 16 March 2017
While school workers have demonstrated their determination to fight, behind the scenes AFSCME officials are seeking to cut a deal that will accept the bulk of management’s demands.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
14 March 2017
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As backdoor UAW-Caterpillar negotiations and tax fraud investigation continue
Former Caterpillar worker speaks on 2012 Joliet, Illinois strike betrayal
By Marcus Day, 13 March 2017
Caterpillar is in the midst of a worldwide restructuring, laying off tens of thousands and closing multiple plants.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 March 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Boston mass transit privatization scheme proceeds through bullying and tricks
By John Marion, 9 March 2017
The crisis of the MBTA caused by years of deferred maintenance and a massive February 2015 snow storm is being used to implement a prolonged assault on workers.
Rockford, Illinois public school employees set to strike next week
By George Gallanis, 8 March 2017
The AFSCME union is limiting the action to a three-day walkout to blow off steam and curtail the growing combativeness of workers.
“The corporations are our enemies, not immigrant workers”
General Motors announces 1,100 job cuts at Lansing, Michigan plant
By Shannon Jones and Jerry White, 7 March 2017
Just three days after laying off 1,300 workers at its Detroit assembly plant, GM announced it was cutting another 1,100 workers at a factory near the Michigan state capital.
Sanders covers for UAW at Mississippi Nissan rally
By Ed Hightower and Jerry White, 7 March 2017
Sanders was the keynote speaker at Saturday’s rally in Canton, Mississippi where the United Auto Workers is campaigning to win recognition at the Nissan auto factory.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 March 2017
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As UAW maintains information blackout on contract negotiations
Federal agents raid Caterpillar headquarters in Illinois
By Marcus Day, 6 March 2017
The dramatic operation hints at the immense criminality and fraud that characterize the day-to-day workings of giant transnationals.
As attack on jobs escalates, AFL-CIO chief pledges to “partner” with Trump administration
By Jerry White, 4 March 2017
The unions are joining Trump’s efforts to divide the working class and block a unified response to his class war policies at home and imperialist militarism abroad.
“They’re laying people off and scattering them to the winds to find employment”
GM layoffs of 1,300 workers at Detroit assembly plant
By a reporting team, 4 March 2017
The layoffs are a major blow to workers and to the city, which is already the poorest big city in America with an official unemployment rate of nearly 10 percent.
Illinois state workers vote overwhelmingly to strike
By Alexander Fangmann, 3 March 2017
AFSCME leaders are desperately hoping to avoid a strike, while Republican Governor Bruce Rauner has ruled out further negotiations and is preparing to use scabs and the National Guard against workers.
Dockworkers’ union threatens one-day strike on US East Coast
By Daniel de Vries, 27 February 2017
Tens of thousands of longshoremen are poised to shut down ports from Maine to Texas.
“They are leaving us basically to fend for ourselves”
Detroit GM workers speak on layoffs as deadline draws near
By Shannon Jones, 25 February 2017
The layoffs will add to the already high unemployment rate in Detroit, which stands at close to 10 percent.
US retail chain J.C. Penney announces over 130 store closures
By Niles Niemuth, 25 February 2017
The department store chain is only the latest retailer to announce major store closures in the US this year, including Macy’s, Sears and Kmart.
Iowa governor signs bill limiting collective bargaining for state employees
By Marcus Day, 18 February 2017
Iowa’s Republican-controlled state government enacted legislation Friday gutting collective bargaining rights for teachers and other public workers.
Stunning rebuke to machinists’ union at South Carolina Boeing plant
By Jerry White, 17 February 2017
The IAM’s record of collaboration with Boeing’s attack on jobs and living standards did far more to repel workers than the campaign against the union by the aerospace giant.
On eve of GM Detroit layoffs
Jeep announces partial shutdown of Toledo, Ohio complex
By Shannon Jones, 17 February 2017
The UAW is collaborating with GM to lay off some 1,300 workers at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant while trying to divert anger with a reactionary “Buy American” campaign.
Momentive strikers forced to take pay and health cuts as US owner throws a multi-million-dollar party
By Jerry White, 15 February 2017
As the unions told workers to accept a concession-laden contract, the billionaire who owns a substantial share of Momentive was enjoying a birthday party complete with camels, acrobats and fireworks.
“It’s like we’re working for a temporary agency”
As deadline nears, autoworkers speak on General Motors layoffs in Detroit
By Shannon Jones, 10 February 2017
With only weeks to go before 1,300 layoffs, opposition is mounting to the job cuts.
SEP meeting in Detroit Saturday to oppose GM layoffs
10 February 2017
The SEP and the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter have called this meeting to organize and mobilize opposition to the layoffs throughout the region.
Caterpillar workers in US overwhelmingly authorize strike
By Marcus Day, 9 February 2017
Workers at the heavy-equipment giant voted by 93 percent to authorize a strike last Thursday.
UAW agrees to sweetheart settlement in Michigan “robo-fraud” scandal
By Debra Watson, 8 February 2017
A US District Court judge has agreed to an out of court settlement in the Michigan “robo-fraud” scandal that lets state officials off the hook and leaves thousands of claimants out in the cold.
GM makes $9.4 billion in global profits as it slashes thousands of jobs
By Jerry White, 8 February 2017
GM is doling out $14 billion in stock buybacks even as it lays off 3,300 workers in Michigan and Ohio.
Workers killed on the job near Rochester, New York
By Steve Filips, 1 February 2017
Workplace fatalities will be certain to increase under the administration of Trump, which has pledged to gut what little remains of federal workplace safety regulations.
“It’s not the fault of Mexican or Chinese workers”
1,200 GM workers laid off at Lordstown plant in Ohio
By Jerry White, 31 January 2017
More than 2,000 General Motors workers, including 1,245 in Lordstown, Ohio, were laid off the same day that Trump delivered his inaugural address.
Illinois attorney general files request to halt state workers’ pay
By George Gallanis, 30 January 2017
The aim is to force the Illinois government to agree to a new state budget that will include sweeping attacks on social programs and public education.
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
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.”
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