Workers Struggles
Greek workers strike against Syriza’s imposition of EU austerity “multi-bill”
By Alex Lantier, 16 January 2018
Syriza aims to further slash living standards while making it illegal for Greek workers to use their constitutionally protected right to strike to defend themselves.
Mexican auto parts workers set to strike if wage demand is not met
Workers Struggles: The Americas
16 January 2018
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German industrial workers continue strikes
By Ulrich Rippert, 13 January 2018
The IG Metall trade union is increasingly concerned by the unrest and radical atmosphere in the plants, but has indicated its readiness to compromise and reach a sell-out deal.
Greek workers stop work in opposition to Syriza anti-strike and austerity measures
By Robert Stevens, 13 January 2018
Strikes shut down the Athens rail system, ships were unable to sail, and state-run hospitals were forced to rely on reserve staff.
Aluminum giants lock out one thousand ABI workers in Quebec
By Laurent Lafrance, 13 January 2018
A joint venture of Alcoa and Rio Tinto Alcan, ABI has locked out 1,030 workers at its Bécancour smelter after they massively rejected the company’s final offer.
Sri Lankan nurses strike over fingerprint attendance system; Australian power workers vote for industrial action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
13 January 2018
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Nigerian teachers strike to defend colleagues’ jobs
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
12 January 2018
Teachers across Nigeria are striking in defense of 21,780 fellow teachers in the face of threats of dismissal.
160,000 industrial workers strike in Germany
By Peter Schwarz, 11 January 2018
Amid widespread anger over social inequality and corporate job-cutting, there is a growing determination to fight for improvements in wages and working conditions.
India: Bus strike cripples Tamil Nadu transport services
By Wasantha Rupasinghe, 10 January 2018
While the trade unions offer to compromise, the strikers have defied court orders, media propaganda and government threats to hire outside drivers and conductors.
Striking Tamil Nadu bus workers speak out
By Sasi Kumar and Moses Rajkumar, 10 January 2018
WSWS reporters spoke with several striking bus workers in Chennai who are engaged in the bitter struggle with the Tamil Nadu state government for higher wages.
NLRB rejects UAW appeal of Honeywell lockout
Workers Struggles: The Americas
9 January 2018
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French chemical industry unions back contract violating minimum wage laws
By Alex Lantier, 8 January 2018
Backed by the European Union, President Emmanuel Macron is using his labor decrees to try to scrap basic social rights won by the working class.
Volkswagen plans to dismiss all temporary contract workers in German plants
By Dietmar Henning, 8 January 2018
VW’s mass firing of temporary contract workers is the prelude to sweeping job cuts and attacks on the gains of all autoworkers.
UK rail workers continue strikes against Driver Only Operated train plans
By Michael Barnes, 8 January 2018
As dangerous incidents begin to escalate, the rail companies and the Tory government refuse to retreat in their war against conductors’ jobs.
Zimbabwe graphite miners strike at former German-owned mine
By Dietmar Henning, 8 January 2018
More than 200 miners in northern Zimbabwe have been on strike since the end of December protesting the fact they have not received their wages for more than a year.
Bangladeshi teachers end “fast-unto-death”
By Nancy Hanover, 8 January 2018
“It is better to die here than return home with empty hands,” said one of thousands of Bangladeshi teachers fighting for a government-paid salary.
South Australian Labor government slashes public sector jobs
By Oscar Grenfell, 8 January 2018
The sackings indicate that the state election this March will be dominated by further austerity commitments from the main parties.
Foxconn tax subsidies to build Wisconsin plant reach over $4 billion
By George Gallanis, 6 January 2018
Decades of deindustrialization have created unprecedented levels of social inequality, poverty and unemployment, which corporations like Foxconn can exploit.
As teachers face new battles against Trump
Lessons of the fight against Obama’s “school reform”—Part 2
By Nancy Hanover and Jerry White, 6 January 2018
Taken together, the seminal struggles of teachers and other public sector workers in Wisconsin (2011), Chicago (2012) and Detroit (2015-16) contain powerful political lessons for the defense of education and workers’ rights.
Thousands of private health care doctors strike in India
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
6 January 2018
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Regional transport workers strike in Netherlands
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
5 January 2018
A 24-hour strike involving some 12,000 workers hit bus and train service on Thursday in the Netherlands to demand better pay and working conditions.
It’s the most exhausting time of the year: Amazon, UPS workers denounce grueling holiday conditions
By our reporters, 30 December 2017
Amid reports of deaths at Amazon and UPS, workers at Amazon, UPS, FedEx, US Postal Service, and other logistics and delivery companies have been under immense pressure to meet increased demand during the Christmas holiday.
Hyundai autoworkers rejected pay deal; Taiwan workers protest industrial laws
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
30 December 2017
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Israeli workers protest job cuts
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
29 December 2017
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Amazon worker dies after vomiting blood at Sacramento, California fulfillment center
By Kristina Betinis, 23 December 2017
This is at least the third death in recent months for the world’s largest online retailer, and the company has nearly doubled its workforce for holiday sales.
“If finding out what happened could save another life at least something good would come from our son’s death”
Family, co-workers want truth about Kentucky Ford worker’s death
By Jerry White, 23 December 2017
Two weeks after the death of 41-year-old electrician Ivan Bridgewater, company, union and government officials have not explained how the fatal accident occurred.
Engineering workers occupy three BiFab yards in Scotland
By Darren Paxton and Sandy Campbell, 23 December 2017
Although workers effectively took control of the yards, the GMB and Unite trade unions were at pains to insist the action was a “work-in.”
Wildcat strike stops production as workers eject union leaders at Ford Romania
By Eric London, 23 December 2017
The spontaneous walkout took place the day after Ford and the union agreed to a sellout contract with similar terms as those imposed on workers in the US and Canada.
Indian telecommunication workers strike, Australian coal terminal workers impose bans
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
23 December 2017
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London hospital workers protest low pay and poor working conditions
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
22 December 2017
The protests targeted outsourcing company ISS, which provides cleaning, security and portering services at the hospitals.
SEIU calls off week-long Oakland city strike without contract
Workers Struggles: The Americas
19 December 2017
The calling off of the walkout is a stab in the back for workers who are seeking improvements in wages and better treatment of part time workers.
Indian state government sacks 500 striking health workers, South Australian cash delivery guards locked out
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 December 2017
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
One-day walkout by Italian doctors
15 December 2017
Doctors and veterinarians struck and protested at 50 locations around the country against underfunding of health care and the renewal of their collective agreement.
“Ford and big companies don’t care if you live or not”
Ford workers speak out on Kentucky Truck worker’s death
By Jessica Goldstein and Jerry White, 14 December 2017
A coroner ruled that Ivan Bridgewater, 41, died of blunt force trauma under still unexplained circumstances.
Sri Lankan unions betray railway workers’ strike
By W.A. Sunil, 14 December 2017
Rail unions axed the strike because it represented a direct challenge to the government’s austerity policies and threatened to draw in other sections of workers.
Sri Lankan railway workers defy government ban on strike
By W.A. Sunil, 12 December 2017
The government’s intervention against the stoppage is part of a broader crackdown on social and political opposition.
The death toll behind corporate America’s record profits
By Jerry White, 12 December 2017
A 41-year-old electrician at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant is the latest victim of the relentless drive for corporate profit in America.
Oakland, California city workers strike reaches one-week mark
Workers Struggles: The Americas
12 December 2017
Some 3,000 workers have struck to oppose the city’s inadequate pay offer and the mistreatment of part time workers, who receive no benefits.
Amid “full employment,” no recovery in US wages
By Jerry White, 11 December 2017
The jobs report provides further evidence that the much vaunted economic “recovery” in the US has overwhelmingly benefited Wall Street at the expense of the working class.
Electrician, 41, killed at Ford Kentucky Truck Plant on Saturday
By Jessica Goldstein, 11 December 2017
Ivan Bridgewater III was killed while working the third shift at the Louisville Kentucky plant and leaves behind a wife and young son.
Mass eviction of rural migrant workers from Chinese capital
By Robert Campion, 11 December 2017
With some given as little as 15 minutes notice, migrant workers are being expelled from Beijing in droves and their homes demolished behind them.
Australian maritime union maintains picket at Victorian port
By Will Morrow, 9 December 2017
The MUA’s real concern is to advance itself as an industrial police force for the company against the workers.
Amazon workers ask “$100 billion man” Jeff Bezos: where’s my cut?
By our reporters, 9 December 2017
When reporters for the International Amazon Workers Voice interviewed part-time Amazon workers in Baltimore to discuss their attitude toward Bezos’ ill-gotten fortune, they were met with a torrent of disgust and calls for sharing the wealth.
Health workers strike in India, Cambodian garment workers walkout over wages
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
9 December 2017
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
8 December 2017
There were protests by Greek workers this week against the Syriza government’s proposed changes in labor policy as well as its privatization plans for the Public Power Corporation.
Near walkout at Detroit auto plant over unsafe conditions
By Jerry White, 7 December 2017
Autoworkers at Fiat Chrysler’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit threatened to walk out December 2 after company and UAW officials ignored their complaints about being sickened by fumes.
Workers Struggles: the Americas
Halifax Shipyard workers vote 99 percent in favor of strike
5 December 2017
The union accuses management of seeking to impose a long list of concessions, including the decimation of safety rules.
“Part-time work in the auto plants is modern day slavery”
Six weeks since the tragic death of US autoworker Jacoby Hennings
By Jerry White, 4 December 2017
Behind the still unexplained death of the young autoworker is the expansion of temporary part-time labor sanctioned by the UAW.
Hyundai auto workers end strike, Sri Lankan bankworkers begin national protests
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
2 December 2017
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
One day strike hits German and Italian Amazon distribution centres
1 December 2017
About 2,000 Amazon workers in Germany and another 500 in Italy walked out on “Black Friday”, November 24, traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, over pay and working conditions.
Seattle, Washington school bus drivers launch one-day strike
By Hector Cordon, 30 November 2017
Several hundred school bus drivers walked out Wednesday morning in Seattle, against First Student’s unilateral imposition of its “last, best and final” contract offer.
Woodhaven Ford workers speak on still unexplained death of Jacoby Hennings
By Jerry White, 29 November 2017
Ford workers at the Woodhaven Stamping plant spoke on the alleged suicide of the 21-year-old part-time worker at the plant on October 20 that has provoked widespread sympathy among autoworkers.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
28 November 2017
More than 3,000 copper miners in Peru and 2,500 in Chile have been involved in job actions this past week over a variety of issues.
Amazon builds low-wage Maryland plant on ashes of largest steel mill in US
By Adam Soroka, 27 November 2017
The construction of the facility on the site of a former Bethlehem Steel mill is indicative of the decline of American capitalism.
Union thugs kill two striking mineworkers in Mexico
By Alex González, 27 November 2017
Around 800 mineworkers refused to be a part of the CTM, arguing that it “does not defend our rights and betrays us, offends us, assaults us, and threatens us.”
Bus workers in northwest England escalate strikes for pay parity
By John Newham, 27 November 2017
As more disputes erupt, the unions are doing everything to contain the situation and oppose any united offensive by transport workers.
Sri Lankan public health employees strike over pay and conditions; Cambodian garment workers walkout over unpaid wages
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 November 2017
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Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa
24 November 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
CSX continues cuts, botches relocation of train dispatchers
By Jeff Lusanne, 23 November 2017
Along with more cuts and closures, CSX has put the lives of train dispatchers in disarray with many being forced to sleep in their cars.
Nearly 200 million are modern slaves or child laborers
By Trévon Austin, 20 November 2017
According to a new report from the United Nations, nearly one in ten children are in child labor globally, with nearly half of these engaged in “hazardous work.”
Australian mining union imposes 25 percent pay cut at Griffin Coal
By Terry Cook, 20 November 2017
The CFMEU struck a sell-out deal which includes sweeping wage reductions and the gutting of conditions, despite significant opposition from workers.
Hundreds of LG employees strike for higher pay in South Korea, Bangalore garment workers protest factory closure
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
18 November 2017
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Telecom unions lead Charter-Spectrum strike into dead end
By Steve Light and A. Woodson, 17 November 2017
Charter-Spectrum workers in New York City and New Jersey have been on strike for eight months.
Ugandan doctors and medical workers continue “illegal” action
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
17 November 2017
Ugandan President Yoweri Museni has ordered district commissioners to take note of workers participating in the strike.
Millions of workers in the US face a life of part-time, precarious employment
By Jessica Goldstein, 16 November 2017
In spite of boasts by President Trump and former President Obama of job creation, economic growth has been dominated by the continued expansion of low-wage, part-time work.
Clerical workers union and New York University extend contract expiration date
By Alan Whyte, 16 November 2017
The union for New York University clerical workers has made an agreement with the school to postpone the contract expiration date until the end of November.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
14 November 2017
Thousands of workers and retirees participated in protests in dozens of cities against changes that would raise the retirement age and lessen workplace protections for workers.
Another decisive repudiation
Ohio auto glass workers vote 2-1 against the UAW
By Shannon Jones, 11 November 2017
The vote against the UAW took place in an area that was once noted for worker militancy and the scene of pitched class battles.
Ontario colleges issue ultimatum to striking faculty
By Dylan Lubao, 11 November 2017
Making use of Ontario’s reactionary labour laws, college administrators are forcing 12,000 striking faculty to vote on a “final offer” that addresses none of the workers’ demands.
Indian government bans ambulance workers’ walkout, South Korean teachers vote on strike action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 November 2017
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UK rail staff in limited strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
10 November 2017
Workers at five UK rail companies struck Wednesday against the introduction of driver-only operated trains which threatens the jobs of some 6,000 train guards and conductors.
UK rail workers escalate strikes in the face of scab operation
By Michael Barnes, 8 November 2017
Ahead of the strikes, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling declared the Conservative government’s intention to coordinate a national strike-breaking operation.
24-hour strike by Argentine airline staff
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 November 2017
Pilots and ground crew are calling for a 26 percent pay increase to keep pace with inflation.
“We are treated like garbage, like we are disposable”
Detroit autoworkers condemn UAW in death of young Ford worker
By a WSWS reporting team, 6 November 2017
All workers confront stressful conditions at the factory, where the workday is 10 hours, and the UAW has long collaborated with the FCA bosses to cut wages and increase production.
Temp work past the age of retirement
Amazon’s CamperForce program exploits elderly workers
By Evan Blake, 6 November 2017
Every year, Amazon hires thousands of temporary workers in their 50s, 60s and 70s to carry out backbreaking labor during the holiday season.
After ultimatum and threats of job loss
Union ends Palatine, Illinois support staff strike without contract
By George Marlowe, 4 November 2017
After the school district of Palatine, Illinois issued an ultimatum to striking support staff, their union sent them back to work without a contract.
Pakistan: Punjab government field health workers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 November 2017
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Strike threat by South African coal miners
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
3 November 2017
The National Union of Mine workers has rejected employer pay offers and is calling for a rise of between 8 and 9 percent.
Ontario college teachers hit by vehicles as strike continues
Workers Struggles: The Americas
31 October 2017
Strikers have been hit by vehicles in two separate incidents as a walkout by Ontario college teachers continues.
Seven-month Spectrum strike in New York and New Jersey highlights assault on pensions
By Mark Witkowski, 30 October 2017
The strike has been isolated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3, and the much larger telecom union, the Communications Workers of America.
Memorial in Detroit for young autoworker who died in Ford plant
By Jerry White, 28 October 2017
The alleged suicide of Jacoby Hennings at Ford’s Woodhaven Stamping plant has generated widespread sympathy along with anger over the cruel conditions facing young workers.
Lessons of the CAMI autoworkers’ strike in Canada
By Carl Bronski, 28 October 2017
The strike did not fail to achieve its goals due to a lack of readiness among GM workers to fight, but because it was sabotaged by Unifor with its pro-corporate and nationalist agenda.
Apple iPhone workers protest in China
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
28 October 2017
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East and Africa
27 October 2017
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Ontario community college staff continue strike
Workers Struggles: The Americas
24 October 2017
The 12,000 professors, instructors, consultants and librarians are in the second week of a strike against the provincial college system.
South Korean media workers continue strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
21 October 2017
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The Canadian split from the UAW—Lessons for today
By Carl Bronski, 20 October 2017
The defeat of the CAMI strike attests to the failure of the nationalist strategy that Unifor and its predecessor, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union, have pursued since splitting from the United Auto Workers in 1985.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
20 October 2017
The airline filed for bankruptcy in August in the face of continuing heavy losses, threatening some 8,000 jobs.
12,000 professors and instructors strike Ontario colleges
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 October 2017
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Unifor announces deal to end CAMI strike
Reject Unifor-GM blackmail! No vote until CAMI workers have full contract and time to study it!
Statement of the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, 14 October 2017
Displaying the same contempt for rank-and-file workers it has since the CAMI strike began, Unifor announced it would release no details of the settlement until Monday’s ratification meeting where it expected to pass the deal.
Public servants, teachers strike in Pakistan
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
14 October 2017
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New Zealand rail union blocks struggle against attacks on conditions
By our reporters, 13 October 2017
A two-hour work stoppage was called to lay the basis for another union-employer sellout deal.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
13 October 2017
On Monday steelworkers across Italy walked out over layoffs threatened by Indian-based steel producer ArecelMittal resulting from a takeover deal.
General strike by Argentine public employees, Colombian pilots defy strikebreaking order, walkouts in Kentucky and Ohio
Workers Struggles: The Americas
10 October 2017
Public sector workers in Argentina launch general strike against austerity measures by President Mauricio Macri while walkouts start at a packaging plant in Louisville, Kentucky and a specialty ceramics maker in Ohio.
US railroad union coalition agrees to contract with health givebacks
By Jeff Lusanne, 9 October 2017
Widespread workers’ opposition is not only to the increased health care costs, but to decades of concessions to the railroads while they continued to make billions.
As CAMI strike ends third week, Unifor peddles Canadian nationalism at rally
By Jerry White, 7 October 2017
Unifor is using CAMI workers as pawns in their maneuvers with the Canadian and US governments over renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
7 October 2017
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Workers Struggles: Europe & Africa
6 October 2017
Workers gave overwhelming authorisation for a walkout that would be the first in the four years since the privatisation of Royal Mail.
As CAMI strike continues, Unifor sheds crocodile tears for Mexican workers
By Carl Bronski, 5 October 2017
Dias does not explain how his supposed concern for the plight of Mexican workers squares with the union’s demand that GM lay off workers in Mexico before any workers at CAMI.
Baggage-handlers’ strike at Toronto airport enters third month
Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 October 2017
Some 700 workers are striking against demands by Swissport for a three-year wage freeze, cuts to benefits and tighter control over work schedules.
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