Workers Struggles
Seattle Education Association pushes through sellout deal
By Evan Blake, 10 September 2018
The Seattle Education Association, with the backing of its supposedly dissident faction, Social Equity Educators, forced through the agreement, undermining the momentum for a statewide strike.
Chicago hotel workers’ strike enters fourth day
By Marcus Day, 10 September 2018
Thousands of hotel workers have struck at 25 locations in and around downtown Chicago since Friday, fighting for better health care and wages.
“Capitalism is not working, and it never has for us”
Striking Chicago hotel workers speak out on fight for wages, health care
By our reporters, 10 September 2018
The WSWS spoke to striking hotel workers on the picket lines in downtown Chicago Saturday.
Bisbee ’17: The deportation of Arizona copper miners is a “still-polarizing event”
By Joanne Laurier, 10 September 2018
In July 1917, 1,200 striking copper miners in Bisbee, Arizona were illegally kidnapped, loaded in cattle cars and dumped in the southwest New Mexico desert. This episode is the subject of Bisbee ’17.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 September 2018
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Striking Tacoma, Washington, teachers demand better pay, funding for education
By Kayla Costa, 7 September 2018
On Thursday, teachers in Tacoma joined thousands of striking teachers throughout the state of Washington as the unions work to contain and isolate the struggles in each district.
Croatian shipbuilders end strike; Swaziland police fire on women textile workers
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
7 September 2018
In a brutal attack, police fired on protesting women textile workers who had been locked out in a pay dispute; meanwhile, some 4,500 shipbuilders at the Uljanik shipyards in the port of Pula and Rijeka, Croatia, returned to work Monday.
Tacoma teachers strike as walkouts spread across Washington
By Alec Andersen, 6 September 2018
School officials in three districts threatened disciplinary action against striking teachers while educators in Tacoma joined walkouts in 10 other districts Thursday.
Arizona Supreme Court strikes down “Invest in Ed” ballot initiative
By David Moore, 6 September 2018
The court’s removal of the school funding initiative from the November ballot underscores the fact that America’s billionaires and millionaires will not tolerate the slightest encroachment on their personal fortunes.
Teamsters announces October 5 vote deadline
Vote “no” on the UPS-Teamsters sellout contract! Form rank-and-file committees to organize opposition!
By the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter, 6 September 2018
On Tuesday, the Teamsters union announced that the contract vote will be counted on October 5, more than two months after the expiration of the current agreement.
Alcoa workers in Canada and Australia confront the same employer offensive
By Laurent Lafrance, 6 September 2018
Alcoa has forced 1,500 workers at five facilities in Western Australia out on strike, even as it issues fresh threats against workers at its Bécancour, Quebec, aluminum smelter who have been locked out since January.
Tacoma teachers vote to strike Thursday
Walkouts by Washington state educators spread
By Jerry White, 5 September 2018
More than 2,000 teachers in Tacoma voted overwhelmingly to strike as the struggle in Washington escalates, despite union efforts to prevent a statewide walkout.
Argentine teachers, transport workers in strike action
Workers Struggles: The Americas
4 September 2018
Teachers in Buenos Aires province struck for three days last week for pay and infrastructure improvements, while Buenos Aires area bus drivers struck against arbitrary dismissals and the generally poor shape of transport facilities.
Labor Day 2018: The growth of the class struggle and the case for rank-and-file committees
By Jerry White, 3 September 2018
This year, Labor Day takes place amid a resurgence of class struggle in the US, bringing workers into direct conflict with the corporatist and anti-working class trade unions.
As union seeks to wrap up strikes, Washington teachers rally and call for statewide walkout
By Nancy Hanover, 3 September 2018
Educators demand statewide strike action in Washington state, while the union seeks to quash walkouts and prevent new ones.
“Amazon thinks I’m a piece of trash on the ground and they’ll walk all over me”
Amazon Nightmare: Grandmother injured on the job goes homeless, suffers pneumonia
By Eric London and Zac Corrigan, 3 September 2018
Carol's story exposes the nightmarish conditions and brutal exploitation that has fueled the growth of online retailers like Amazon.
Los Angeles teachers vote 98 percent for strike authorization
By Kimie Saito, 1 September 2018
For the first time in almost 30 years, Los Angeles teachers vote overwhelmingly for strike action.
Teamsters head to UPS workers: Don’t complain, creating new tiers is “what we’ve always done”
By Will Morrow, 1 September 2018
Teamsters lead “negotiator” Denis Taylor gave a full-throated defense of the pro-company contract in an online statement last weekend.
Reserve Bank of India employees to walkout over pensions; Alcoa workers still on strike in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 September 2018
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“We have to stand up and show we are not going to take this anymore”
US Steel workers rally in Pittsburgh area
By our reporting team, 31 August 2018
Steelworkers rallying outside of the Clairton Works spoke to the WSWS about their determination to fight US Steel’s concession demands.
Steelmakers in US demand historic concessions as contracts for 31,000 workers set to expire
By Samuel Davidson, 31 August 2018
With US Steel and Arcelor demanding deep givebacks, the United Steelworkers union has made it clear it is opposed to any strike.
Rail stoppages continue in Britain, as Croatian shipbuilders strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
31 August 2018
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Seattle teachers vote to authorize strike
By Kayla Costa, 30 August 2018
In a mass meeting Tuesday night, thousands of teachers voted to join ongoing strikes by educators across the state of Washington.
Sri Lankan fishermen demonstrate to demand fuel price reductions
By Naveen Dewage, 30 August 2018
The MVOA appealed to the government to lower fuel prices, but it responded by police armed with batons and water cannons, who set up barricades to block the march.
“Everyone should go out on strike, even nationwide”
Mass support for teachers’ walkouts in Washington state
By Hector Cordon and Nancy Hanover, 29 August 2018
Educators throughout the state are rallying and striking to demand livable wages and improved school conditions.
Auckland nurse denounces union’s sellout deal in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 29 August 2018
A nurses’ union member spoke with the WSWS over worsening conditions at the South Auckland hospital and the growing anger of health workers over the union’s betrayal.
Peruvian municipal workers strike in Lima’s most affluent district
By Cesar Uco, 29 August 2018
The strike in Miraflores highlights the glaring social inequality that pervades Peru.
For a statewide strike in Washington to defend public education!
Build rank-and-file committees to unify educators, parents and students
By the WSWS Teacher Newsletter, 28 August 2018
To fight for better schools and living wages, teachers in Washington must break through the straitjacket imposed by the unions and Democratic Party and mobilize the broadest sections of the working class.
More Washington state teachers strike as unions seek to contain struggle
By Alec Andersen, 28 August 2018
On Monday, teachers in Vancouver, the state’s second-largest city, voted to authorize a strike if no deal is reached by the start of school on Wednesday.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
28 August 2018
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Teachers across Washington state demand strike action and big pay increases
By Nancy Hanover, 27 August 2018
In their fight to reverse years of budget cuts, Washington teachers are giving voice to the anger and determination of educators and workers across the US.
“The Teamsters is not a voice for us”
UPS workers respond to Teamsters campaign of blackmail
By our reporters, 25 August 2018
UPS workers throughout the US continue to express opposition to the sellout deal that Teamsters officials and corporate management are trying to strong-arm them into ratifying.
Teachers across Washington state prepare to strike over wages and conditions
By Alec Andersen, 25 August 2018
The opposition of Washington teachers and support staff is a continuation of the teacher revolt that started at the beginning of 2018 and comes amid an upsurge of working class struggle.
New Zealand transport workers’ jobs and conditions under attack
By our correspondents, 25 August 2018
Rail and bus workers face a sustained assault by companies hired by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to run passenger services.
Bangladesh jute mill workers demonstrate; Paradip port workers strike in Orissa
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
25 August 2018
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“We need a united front of auto and UPS workers”
Autoworkers warn UPS workers: Don’t trust the union
By Will Morrow, 24 August 2018
An autoworker from Toledo, Ohio told us that “if UPS workers could find a way to break away from their union, the autoworkers would follow them.”
Amazon Prime Day produces 209 percent increase in UK health and safety complaints
By Steve James, 24 August 2018
Prime Day saw strikes at Amazon warehouses in Germany and Spain and a work to rule in Poland.
Los Angeles teachers vote on strike authorization
By Dan Conway, 24 August 2018
After working without a contract for 13 months, Los Angeles teachers are taking a strike authorization vote.
Puerto Rico’s teachers hold one-day strike
By Shelley Connor, 24 August 2018
Puerto Rico teachers began the school year with a one-day protest against privatization and crumbling schools.
Seattle-area crane operators strike following rejection of sellout deal
By our reporter, 24 August 2018
Crane operators in western Washington state walked out Tuesday after voting down a deal negotiated by the operating engineers’ union that contained an inadequate wage increase.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation lashes out at critics on social media
By Tom Peters, 24 August 2018
The union posted an inflammatory statement on Facebook aimed at intimidating opposition to its sellout of health workers.
Rail staff at UK rail concessions plan further strikes
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
24 August 2018
The unions are continuing to limit job actions opposing work rule changes aimed at eliminating thousands of guard positions aimed at slashing costs while compromising safety.
The Teamsters/UPS conspiracy to slash workers’ health care
By Kayla Costa, 23 August 2018
The current effort of the Teamsters to push through a concessions contract follows a series of attacks on UPS workers, including a scheme adopted in 2013 to cut health care benefits.
The United Auto Workers corruption scandal and the case for rank-and-file committees
By Joseph Kishore, 22 August 2018
A sentencing memorandum directly links Fiat Chrysler payouts to the UAW to the effort to “obtain benefits, concessions and advantages in the negotiations and administration of collective bargaining agreements.”
Anger over sell-out pay deal at Sheffield Supertram
By Laura Tiernan, 22 August 2018
Under the new agreement, pay will reportedly rise by just £1,700 over three years for a Supertram driver and £1,600 for conductors, far below rates for drivers and conductors at Manchester Metrolink who are covered by the same union.
Mexican public health workers strike, protest over non-deposit of savings
Workers Struggles: the Americas
22 August 2018
Doctors, nurses, dentists, administrative and social workers in public hospitals, clinics and health centers in the Mexican state of Sinaloa struck recently over the government’s failure to contribute its portion to their savings fund.
Teamsters blackmails UPS workers: Strike and you will lose your health insurance
By Will Morrow, 22 August 2018
The Teamsters is threatening workers that they will lose their health benefits if they strike, and that the concessions contract backed by the union is the “best we could get.”
“The whole world is watching us”
Teamsters local meeting erupts in anger as union official calls UPS workers’ poverty wages “subjective”
By Norisa Diaz, 21 August 2018
Teamsters official Andy Marshall told the room of 100 UPS workers that “in a perfect world” workers would get what they wanted, but “when I was a kid, I wanted a pony.”
Texas firefighters denied workers compensation for cancer
By Todd Denton, 21 August 2018
More than 90 percent of firefighters in Texas are being refused medical coverage and paid sick leave for cancer caused by on-the-job toxic exposures.
“A new organization would be able to unite us all”
UPS workers oppose isolation by Teamsters, call for united struggle with Amazon workers
By Evan Blake, 20 August 2018
The Teamsters union is opposed to any effort to connect the struggles of workers at UPS, Amazon and other logistics companies.
Lessons of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s sellout: Build rank-and-file committees! Unite the working class against the Labour government!
By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 August 2018
The sellout of the nurses’ struggle by the union bureaucracy raises the need for rank-and-file committees and a fight to unite the working class against austerity and for socialism.
Sixty-one-year-old worker dies in horrific fall into vat of oil near Disney World
By Jessica Goldstein, 18 August 2018
John Korody was killed shortly after midnight on Wednesday morning when he slipped on a grate and fell into a vat of oil.
Alcoa workers strike in Western Australia
By Terry Cook, 18 August 2018
The stoppage expresses growing opposition to the corporate giant’s global cost-cutting operation.
Thousands of beedi cigarette workers strike in India, Sri Lankan tea plantation workers demand higher pay, South Korea finance workers plan national walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
18 August 2018
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UK rail strikes continue; non-academic staff strikes at three Nigerian universities; Kenyan teachers to strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
17 August 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Opposition mounts to UPS-Teamsters conspiracy as union announces contract for airline mechanics
By Will Morrow, 16 August 2018
There is growing support for the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter’s call for the election of rank-and-file committees in every warehouse and hub to coordinate opposition.
Despite overwhelming strike vote
Trade union at Escondida copper mine in Chile seeks to shut down 18-month struggle
By Andrea Lobo, 15 August 2018
Against the efforts by the trade unions to isolate miners from a joint struggle across Chile and internationally, workers must form rank-and-file committees to take the fight in their own hands.
Notes from the campaign trail
Socialist Equality Party candidate campaigns among UPS workers in Michigan
By Niles Niemuth, 15 August 2018
I spoke with UPS workers who expressed deep anger over their conditions and the sellout contract that the Teamsters union is seeking to impose.
Puerto Rican teachers’ anger builds against privatization, firings and lack of pay raises
By Shelley Connor, 14 August 2018
Teachers have had no pay raises in the past 10 years, classes are overcrowded and hundreds of teachers are starting the school year with no knowledge of where they will be placed.
Break the UPS-Teamsters conspiracy! Mobilize opposition to the sellout contract!
By the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter, 14 August 2018
The Teamsters union is keeping workers totally in the dark, five days after its endorsement of the cost-cutting contract.
500 Trane Co. workers strike in La Crosse, Wisconsin
By Michael Walters and George Gallanis, 14 August 2018
The strike at Trane is in danger of being smothered by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
Allentown, Pennsylvania credit union employees strike over wages and health care
By Samuel Davidson, 14 August 2018
Employees of People First Federal Credit Union went on strike against the company’s demand to shift health care costs onto the backs of already low paid employees.
Sri Lankan unions sell out railway workers and call off strike
By W.A. Sunil, 13 August 2018
Railway workers must reject the unions’ betrayal of their longstanding salary demands and build action committees of rank-and-file workers on an alternative socialist program.
Over 400,000 West Bengal tea plantation workers strike; Alcoa workers walkout in Western Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 August 2018
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
Railworkers strike in UK while Iranian rail strike continues
10 August 2018
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UPS workers: Build rank-and-file committees to organize opposition to the contract!
By the WSWS UPS Worker Newsletter, 9 August 2018
The Teamsters must not be allowed to retain the initiative and continue its conspiracy with the company against the workers unopposed.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation rams through sellout pay deal
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 8 August 2018
The union is trying to present the agreement, which fails to address the crisis in the public health system, as a victory.
Amid growing outrage from workers, Teamsters release sellout UPS Freight contract agreement
By Evan Blake, 7 August 2018
Contrary to the claims of the Teamsters, the proposed UPS Freight contract makes deep inroads into workers’ living standards and working conditions.
Mass strike erupts in Buenos Aires after two school workers die from gas explosion
By Andrea Lobo, 7 August 2018
While teachers saw the tragic event as evidence of the need to unite their struggles with other workers, the trade unions are seeking it to channel them behind bourgeois politics.
Venezuelan bus drivers protest shortages, census
Workers Struggles: the Americas
7 August 2018
Bus drivers held a demonstration in front of Venezuela’s Ministry of Transport building in Caracas, Venezuela August 3 to protest shortages of supplies and parts.
As transit union continues to ignore its members’ overwhelming vote to strike
Washington, D.C. transit authority moves to privatize bus maintenance services
By Nick Barrickman, 6 August 2018
The provocative move comes amid a heated dispute regarding the privatization of public services between the transit authority and 8,000 Metro workers, members of ATU Local 689.
GlaxoSmithKline workers in Bangladesh protest factory closure; Philippines police arrest picketing workers outside NutriAsia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 August 2018
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
4 August 2018
Some 10,000 footwear workers in south Africa are in the third week of a bitter strike over wage demands.
Teamsters union keeps 240,000 UPS workers on the job as contract expires
By Will Morrow, 2 August 2018
The union is aware that there is widespread opposition to the deal and is seeking to buy time to wear down the workers and impose a contract demanded by the company.
Ryanair’s mass sacking threat raises need for globally coordinated struggle of airline workers
By Steve James, 2 August 2018
The role of the unions in the airline and other industries is to isolate any struggle, impose the demands of the companies and prevent a unified fight of the entire working class.
Washington, D.C. metro union seeks to bury members’ strike vote
By Nick Barrickman, 2 August 2018
After an overwhelming vote by its members to strike in July, ATU Local 689, with a membership of over 8,000 public transit workers, has sought to drag out discussions between it and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Autoworkers speak out against UAW corruption, voice support for Kokomo Fiat Chrysler workers
By Jessica Goldstein, 2 August 2018
The World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter spoke with autoworkers in Chicago and Kokomo, Indiana about the corruption scandal which has wracked the United Auto Workers.
New Zealand nurses express frustration, anger in union broadcast
By our reporters, 2 August 2018
The union’s online event was a desperate attempt to sell the latest, widely opposed deal and shut down the rebellion among nurses.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
31 July 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
13,000 sanitation workers strike in Ahmedabad, India; Tamil Nadu rubber workers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
28 July 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Biggest strike in Ryanair history; South African footwear strike continues
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
27 July 2018
Workers at Irish budget airline Ryanair are fighting for improved pay and seniority rights, while 10,000 South African footwear workers are continuing their strike with further factories closing.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation presents fifth sell-out pay offer
By John Braddock, 26 July 2018
The latest offer to public hospital nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives is virtually identical to offers they rejected before the July 12 nationwide strike.
UK: South Western Railway conductors to strike over Driver Only Operation
By Tom Holling, 26 July 2018
South Western Railway is Britain’s busiest commuter train network and transports more than 4 million passengers a week in and out of London Waterloo.
Verizon and CWA cut a deal to shift healthcare costs to workers
By our reporter, 25 July 2018
In an effort to prevent a repeat of the 2016 strike, the Communications Workers of America has agreed to a deal that will impose further healthcare givebacks.
Ryanair workers set to strike across Europe
By Steve James, 24 July 2018
Ryanair pilots based in Ireland are to hold a third 24-hour strike today, while on Wednesday and Thursday, Ryanair cabin crew in Belgium, Portugal and Spain are also due to strike in a coordinated action.
After overwhelming vote for strike action
Washington, D.C. transit union conspires with Metro officials while keeping members in the dark
By Nick Barrickman, 24 July 2018
Metro workers have been without a contract since 2016, when negotiations broke down over questions of pay cuts, job security and privatization of services.
New Zealand bus drivers take action over work rosters
By our correspondents, 24 July 2018
Bus drivers are facing attacks on jobs, wages and conditions by private operators contracted by the Labour Party-led Wellington Council.
1,700 Detroit janitors on poverty wages face a July 31 contract expiration
Workers Struggles: The Americas
24 July 2018
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Mexico: Goodyear fires workers for forming independent union
By Alex González, 21 July 2018
About 50 workers were fired in retaliation for a strike action that took place in April against the company’s “protection union” contract.
Strike by South African footwear workers as South African and Nigerian telecom workers walkout
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
21 July 2018
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UK: Sheffield Supertram workers set to continue strike
By Tony Robson, 20 July 2018
Through its passive approach to the blatant intimidation being meted out to its members, Unite is signalling that it remains the most reliable option in blocking a resurgence of militant opposition in its ranks.
“We should be governing ourselves in this fight”
UPS workers’ opposition grows to Teamsters sellout
By Will Morrow, 19 July 2018
The proposed deal maintains poverty level wages for part-time workers, introduces a new lower-paid “hybrid” worker, and does nothing to address unsafe working conditions.
American Federation of Teachers convention devoted to boosting Democratic Party candidates
By Nancy Hanover, 19 July 2018
In the aftermath of the biggest teachers’ strike wave in 40 years, the American Federation of Teachers bureaucracy is seeking to head off a militant movement and defend its interests by promoting the Democrats in the mid-term elections.
General strike and ongoing protests in Panama against electricity rate hike
By Andrea Lobo, 19 July 2018
As militancy grows among construction workers, teachers and the public sector as a whole, the trade unions are struggling to contain social opposition against new rate hikes and social austerity.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio agrees to contract with city’s largest union
By Ali Elhassan, 18 July 2018
The three-year deal, covering 100,000 workers, contains a paltry raise that will be paid for by increased out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Washington, D.C., metro workers vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike action
By Nick Barrickman, 18 July 2018
The “yes” vote by 8,000 Washington, D.C., transit workers sets the stage for a possible strike in the US capital, the first in 40 years, amid threats of jail time by the Democratic Party city administration.
Wall Street celebrates Teamsters deal with UPS
By Kayla Costa, 17 July 2018
UPS workers are in a direct fight with the Teamsters union, which is seeking to impose management’s dictates and defend the financial interests of the union executives.
As Jeff Bezos’ wealth reaches $150 billion
Unions strangle strike efforts by European Amazon workers on Prime Day
By Will Morrow and Genevieve Leigh, 17 July 2018
Prime Day is treated as a virtual public holiday by the corporate media, akin to Black Friday, but it is synonymous with increased exploitation for Amazon and other shipping workers.
Vermont Medical Center nurses fight low pay and understaffing
By Mike Ingram, 17 July 2018
Nurses at the University of Vermont Medical Center held a 48-hour strike last week after months of stalled negotiations for a new contract.
Goodyear Mexico fires workers who attempted to form independent union
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 July 2018
Around 50 workers from Goodyear’s San Luis Potosi factory have been fired in the wake of attempts by workers to oust the corrupt Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM).
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