Workers Struggles Around the World
Thousands of powerloom workers strike in Tamil Nadu; Migrant workers strike and protest in Taiwan; New Zealand teachers voting on national walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
11 May 2019
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South African municipal strikers defy unions; strike continues by South African workers at Cell C phones
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
10 May 2019
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Workers at Airbus’ Montreal facility repudiate union-backed, concessionary contract
Workers Struggles: The Americas
7 May 2019
Some 1,000 workers at Bombardier voted by a 73 percent margin to vote a union-backed concessions deal and then voted overwhelmingly to grant strike authorization.
Workers march and protest across Asia on May Day
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
4 May 2019
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Call to free Julian Assange raised in Taiwan on Labor Day
By a correspondent, 3 May 2019
The Free Assange Group explained to Taiwan workers that WikiLeaks served as a deterrent to war and was a tool for peace.
UK rail union calls off strikes against driver-only-operated trains
By Michael Barnes, 3 May 2019
The Conservative government is behind the plot to impose a huge cost-cutting and de-staffing operation on the railways
Brazilian unions defend reactionary pension “reform” at May Day rally
By Miguel Andrade, 3 May 2019
With economic figures showing no sign of economic recovery, the PT and the unions are working to quell any working class movement against Bolsonaro.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
3 May 2019
Tunisian unions called a regional general strike Monday over worker deaths while telecom and water workers are continuing strikes in South Africa.
Tea plantation workers need a global strategy
By Saman Gunadasa, 1 May 2019
Tea plantation workers in India, Kenya and Sri Lanka can end their brutal exploitation only by breaking from the unions and fighting for a unified socialist and internationalist strategy.
In naked sellout, union announces end to strike by 300,000 Polish teachers
By Will Morrow and Clara Weiss, 27 April 2019
The union is covering up the fact that it is ending the strike without meeting any of the teachers’ demands by claiming the strike is being “suspended.”
Indian rail workers protest; Bangladeshi food workers demand pay rise; New Zealand doctors to strike for five days
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
27 April 2019
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Mayor Emanuel intervenes to shut down Chicago Symphony Orchestra strike
By George Marlowe, 26 April 2019
As part of his final act on behalf of the city’s financial elite, outgoing Mayor Rahm Emanuel has offered to intervene to end the nearly two-month strike by Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) musicians
GM continues tax avoidance schemes while it slashes thousands of jobs
By George Kirby, 26 April 2019
General Motors has received billions of dollars in government tax benefits over the past decade even as it continues to cut jobs and extract concessions from workers.
University of Illinois at Chicago faculty announces deal on eve of strike
By George Gallanis, 26 April 2019
More than 1,100 professors, lecturers, instructors and assistant professors are voting on a concessionary contract being pushed by the UIC United Faculty union, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers.
Ontario Tory government intensifies assault on workers’ rights
By Penny Smith, 26 April 2019
Ford’s thinly veiled threat to criminalize teachers’ strikes must be taken as a serious warning: emboldened by the unions’ complicity, the Tories are escalating their class-war assault.
Australian construction workers facing massive fines for striking
By Terry Cook, 26 April 2019
The Australian Building and Construction Commission has launched legal action against workers involved in a short work-stoppage last year.
Miners’ union sells out five-month long strike at Sibanye Stillwater in South Africa
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
26 April 2019
The South African Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union agreed to a deal ending the five-month strike by gold miners on the same terms as the “slave labour” agreement signed with three other unions.
Jet Airways employees demonstrate in India; Pakistan doctors protest privatisation; Queensland bulk haulage train and maintenance workers to strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
20 April 2019
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Police attack teachers in Kolkata; thousands of Bangladesh jute mill workers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
13 April 2019
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Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
6 April 2019
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
5 April 2019
Gold miners have voted to continue their four-month strike after management rejected a deal proposed by mediators.
Engineering department workers strike in India’s Jammu state; Sri Lankan nurses strike; Tasmanian teachers to strike for higher pay
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
30 March 2019
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Hundreds of Uber and Lyft drivers strike in Los Angeles
By Dan Conway, 27 March 2019
The strike was triggered by Uber’s recent announcement to cut drivers’ per-mile compensation in Los Angeles and part of nearby Orange County by 25 percent.
Goodyear-Dunlop plans 1,100 job cuts in Germany
By Marianne Arens, 27 March 2019
The latest measure will cut over one-third of the workforce at two factories in the state of Hesse.
Midday meal workers protest in Telangana, India; Telstra technicians implement work bans across Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
23 March 2019
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Macron sends the French army against anti-austerity protests
By Alex Lantier, 22 March 2019
The move is a major step toward the implementation of police-state forms of rule in France, as part of a global onslaught against democratic rights.
Unifor announces bogus ‘job saving’ plan as GM moves to close Oshawa plant
By Carl Bronski, 22 March 2019
Unifor will suspend its Save Oshawa GM publicity campaign on the basis of nothing more than the possibility of a slight adjustment in the plant’s closing schedule.
French public sector strikes; further protests in Algeria; union ends wage strike at South Africa’s Sibanye Gold without an agreement
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
22 March 2019
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Over 35,000 jute mill workers strike in Bangladesh; 200,000 Sri Lankan teachers and principals walk out for higher pay; Telstra technicians strike in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 March 2019
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Thousands of Sri Lankan teachers protest for higher pay; Pakistan sanitary workers strike over non-payment of wages; Telstra workers to strike in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
9 March 2019
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India: Pricol autoparts workers continue strike in Tamil Nadu; Chinese food delivery workers protest pay cuts; 3,000 New Zealand doctors hold two-day strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
2 March 2019
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Indian telecommunication workers strike; Bangladesh teachers and education workers protest pay cuts; New Zealand anaesthetic technicians strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
23 February 2019
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Irish nurses’ union seeks to impose settlement after calling off strike
By Dermot Byrne, 20 February 2019
The INMO nurses’ union is betraying the struggle for a decent pay rise and better working conditions.
Striking midwives rally outside New Zealand parliament
By Tom Peters, 20 February 2019
Midwives, doctors and other health workers face a common fight but their strikes are being divided and isolated by the union bureaucracy.
Sri Lankan tea plantation workers protest victimisations
By our reporters, 19 February 2019
Demonstrators denounced the unions’ betrayal of recent wage strikes and demanded management immediately end the frame-up of militant Annfield Estate workers.
Bangladesh steel workers demand wage rise; Australian coal haulage workers continue strike action; New Zealand bus drivers hold wildcat strikes
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 February 2019
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The international upsurge of working class struggle in 2019
By Niles Niemuth, 12 February 2019
This year is witnessing a resurgence of class struggle that expresses the objective unity of workers in every part of the world.
The way forward to win wages and social rights
Workers Action Committee in Sri Lanka calls plantation workers’ conference
By the Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee, 12 February 2019
The conference will discuss the lessons of the recent plantation workers’ struggle and the political strategy needed to win their demands.
Cascade of plant closings in New York state
Social costs mount
By Steve Filips, 9 February 2019
In recent months there have been a spate of plant closings throughout Upstate New York, including the Rochester and Buffalo areas.
Committee for Public Education (Australia): Support the fight against GM layoffs!
By the Committee for Public Education (CFPE), 9 February 2019
The February 9 demonstration, organised independently of the unions, provides a lead for all workers internationally, including teachers.
Over 200,000 Uttar Pradesh government employees strike; Bangladesh garment workers occupy factory; New Caledonia miners still on strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
9 February 2019
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Wave of walkouts in Matamoros, Mexico builds toward general strike
By Alex González, 7 February 2019
An additional 15,000 workers have gone on strike across multiple industries, threatening to bring the city to a standstill.
Strike wave hits Kosovo
By Paul Mitchell, 6 February 2019
The Kosovan government is determined to prevent workers overturning years of stagnant or declining wages.
Bangladesh garment workers demonstrate for unpaid wages; New Caledonia nickel miners’ strike enters second month
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
2 February 2019
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Indian state government fires hundreds of teachers as Tamil Nadu strike faces a crossroads
By Arun Kumar, 30 January 2019
By isolating striking teachers and government workers, the JACTTO-GEO, which has hundreds of thousands of members, has allowed the state government to intensify its anti-democratic attacks.
Sri Lankan plantation workers protest unions’ sellout wage deal
By M. Thevarajah and W.A. Sunil, 29 January 2019
The unions, having suppressed an indefinite strike last month, are imposing an agreement in line with the demands of the plantation companies and the government.
India: Striking Tamil Nadu teachers and government employees defy state repression
By Arun Kumar, 28 January 2019
In an attempt to break the strike, the state government has arrested hundreds of teachers who face charges of unlawful assembly and other bogus allegations.
New Zealand doctors to hold second nationwide strike
By Tom Peters, 28 January 2019
Some 3,300 doctors will strike in public hospitals for the second time this year in opposition to major attacks on working conditions overseen by the Labour Party-led government.
Two hundred thousand Indian midday meal workers still on strike; Tamil Nadu data entry workers protest: Tigerair pilots walkout in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
26 January 2019
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Following strike, Bangladesh employers sack hundreds of garment workers
By Rohantha De Silva, 22 January 2019
The workers were not given any warnings and have not been paid outstanding wages and benefits in direct violation of Bangladesh’s limited labour laws.
Hyundai and Samsung workers protest in India; Cambodian garment workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
19 January 2019
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General strike of 700,000 public sector workers shakes Tunisia
By Johannes Stern, 18 January 2019
Eight years after the ouster of Tunisian dictator Ben Ali in 2011, renewed mass struggles are erupting.
Mexican strikers show working class answer to capitalist reaction at US-Mexico border
By Eric London, 17 January 2019
At the US-Mexico border, the two chief social classes under capitalism—the capitalist class and the working class—are demonstrating the two alternatives for the future of mankind.
Indian fireworks workers protest over layoffs, Pakistan water treatment workers walkout; New Caledonia nickel miners extend strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
12 January 2019
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Foxconn workers stage protest in Zhengzhou, China
By Navin Dewage, 8 January 2019
Police violently suppressed a protest by hundreds of temporary workers over the non-payment of bonuses.
Sri Lankan plantation workers oppose company-union attempts to impose sell-out
By our reporters, 8 January 2019
There is widespread hostility to the plans for a new collective agreement that would reject workers’ demand for a 100 percent wage rise.
Indian workers need revolutionary socialist program to combat social devastation and political reaction
By Deepal Jayesekera and Keith Jones, 8 January 2019
Tens of millions of workers and young people will participate in this week’s 48-hour, all-India strike against the socially incendiary “pro-investor” economic policies of the BJP-led government.
India’s unions to hold two-day “general strike” next week
By Deepal Jayasekera, 5 January 2019
While millions of workers will join the protest strike to oppose Modi and his class-war policies, the Stalinists and their union allies are intent on channelling social opposition behind the Congress and other rightwing parties.
Sri Lankan plantation union discussing sellout deal with companies
By Pani Wijesiriwardena, 3 January 2019
The back-room negotiations between the unions and employers are part of a broader attack on the living conditions of all workers.
One million Indian bank workers strike; tens of thousands of Korean taxi drivers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
29 December 2018
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Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
Fight by rail guards at UK rail franchises continues
28 December 2018
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Sri Lanka: Abbotsleigh tea plantation workers speak out against harsh living and working conditions
By our reporters, 21 December 2018
Sri Lankan plantation workers, like their international counterparts, are being ruthlessly exploited by the giant corporations that control the industry.
Coal mine rescue brings to light desperate social conditions in West Virginia
By Naomi Spencer, 17 December 2018
The tragedy unfolded just a few miles from the scene of the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine disaster, where 29 miners lost their lives in a massive explosion.
Australian Amazon worker alleges unfair dismissal
By Oscar Grenfell, 13 December 2018
The Sydney worker has claimed he was sacked for joining a union and asking for more hours per week.
Sri Lankan plantation companies reject workers’ wage demand
By W.A. Sunil, 11 December 2018
Despite an indefinite strike, the employers are insisting that profits must be defended by subjecting workers to super-exploitation.
Which way forward for France’s “yellow vest” protests?
By Alex Lantier, 10 December 2018
The critical question is the independent organization of the working class, in France and internationally, in the preparation of a European general strike.
Pakistan municipal workers protest for outstanding wages; Sri Lankan housing workers fight layoffs; New Zealand teachers reject new pay offer
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 December 2018
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India: Contract health workers remain on strike in Bihar; South Australian teachers strike over pay and conditions
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
1 December 2018
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UK: Cammell Laird shipyard workers strike against redundancies, Iran sugar and steel strike continues against pay arrears, South Africa’s Sibanye gold miners reject company/union pay deal
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
1 December 2018
Workers at Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England have launched a series of strikes over redundancies while workers at the Tappeh Sugar Cane mill in Iran are continuing a walkout and gold miners in South Africa are continuing a series of job actions marked by employer violence.
Around 100,000 Sri Lankan plantation workers walk out again for pay rise
By our correspondents, 30 November 2018
The plantation unions are determined to prevent industrial action by estate workers that could trigger mass action by other sections of the working class.
Ten thousand taxi drivers end protests in India; 1,600 rubber plantation workers strike in Bangladesh; New Zealand secondary teachers vote to strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
24 November 2018
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Scottish teachers overwhelmingly reject pay offer
By our reporter, 23 November 2018
The Scottish government, local authorities, teaching and local government unions are desperate to avoid strikes, and above all to prevent a united offensive by teachers and council workers.
Indian chrome miners strike over safety; Western Australian mine workers walkout over “wage theft”
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
17 November 2018
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Thousands of Indian contract workers remain on strike; 29,000 New Zealand primary school teachers to take national strike action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
10 November 2018
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Mass strikes by transport workers and government employees in India
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
3 November 2018
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Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
Strikes in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan
27 October 2018
The stoppages are part of an emerging movement of the working class the Indian sub-continent.
Indian police detain thousands of striking Tamil Nadu auto workers
By Arun Kumar, 25 October 2018
Stalinist union leaders have sought to isolate the strikers, fearing that their struggle could become the focal point for a broader movement of the working class.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
Police attack striking workers in India and Bangladesh
20 October 2018
Police opened fire on garment workers demanding unpaid wages in Bangladesh, while Indian authorities attacked protesting health workers.
New Zealand rail union promotes sellout at Wellington meeting
By our reporter, 19 October 2018
Wellington rail workers employed by Transdev and Hyundai Rotem held stopwork meetings called by the Rail and Maritime Transport Union to ratify yet another pro-company agreement.
Indian sanitation workers union shuts down month-long strike; Western Australian bus drivers strike over pay
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
13 October 2018
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Tamil Nadu police arrest hundreds of striking Indian autoworkers
By Arun Kumar and Moses Rajkumar, 11 October 2018
Strikes and protests have broken out in Tamil Nadu companies that employ the majority of India’s 7.6 million auto manufacturing workers.
TDU, Teamsters United capitulate to Hoffa’s override of UPS workers’ “no” vote
By Jerry White, 10 October 2018
The Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) and Teamsters United (TU) oppose preparations for a national strike, which would bring workers into direct conflict with the entire Teamsters apparatus.
Indian police arrest 600 striking Yamaha workers; Pakistan teachers, municipal employees and other workers demonstrate for unpaid wages
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
6 October 2018
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India police attack striking auto workers in Tamil Nadu; New Zealand bus drivers walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
29 September 2018
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Class struggle escalates in Dominican Republic
Workers Struggles: the Americas
25 September 2018
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Rajasthan bus drivers strike in India; New Zealand Ministry of Justice workers walkout
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
22 September 2018
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Three thousand emergency workers strike in India; 29,000 primary school teachers vote on pay offer in New Zealand
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
15 September 2018
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Chicago hotel strike pits workers against Democrats’ billionaire candidate for governor
By Jerry White, 12 September 2018
Striking workers are in a battle against the major hotel operators, including Hyatt, which is owned by the Pritzker family.
“Gas, rent and milk goes up and we’re still making the same money”
Striking Chicago hotel workers speak out
By George Gallanis, 12 September 2018
WSWS reporters spoke to striking hotel workers at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place hotel in Chicago.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
8 September 2018
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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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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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13,000 sanitation workers strike in Ahmedabad, India; Tamil Nadu rubber workers protest
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
28 July 2018
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1,700 Detroit janitors on poverty wages face a July 31 contract expiration
Workers Struggles: The Americas
24 July 2018
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Indian electricity workers on strike in Madhya Pradesh; Indonesian motorcycle taxi drivers threaten mass strike action
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
21 July 2018
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