Samantha Winslow

Operating Engineers Reformers Hope Election, Lawsuits Will Clean House

Reformers in the Operating Engineers union have attracted a national following among members by daring to sue their international officers for corruption, while also running to take over their southern California local.

They call themselves The Resistance.

In the 400,000-member union of skilled crane, bulldozer and boiler operators, mechanics, and surveyors, dissent is uncommon, and union staffers have hiring influence with employers.

Newark Teacher Reformers Win Majority

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Samantha Winslow

In a sign of growing teacher discontent at their continual scapegoating for all the ills of public education, a recently formed reform slate of teacher union activists in Newark, New Jersey, won a majority on their local union’s executive board yesterday, losing the presidential spot by only nine votes.

The reform slate won 18 out of 29 seats on the Newark Teachers Union board. Incumbent President Joe Del Grosso, who has led the union since 1995, barely held on to his position, winning 589 to 580. The local’s total membership is around 4,200.

Turkish Unions Strike Again, Bolstering Call for Government to Resign

Some 800,000 workers struck Monday. "The people’s resistance and mobilization is in its 20th day," unionists wrote. Anti-government protests have united civilians, students, labor activists, and Turkey's middle class.

150 Arrested Protesting North Carolina's Attacks on Workers, Poor

Remember the dramatic, aggressive attacks on workers by legislatures in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan? Now North Carolina is following suit. Lawmakers have proposed dozens of bills attacking workers’ rights, health care access, voting rights, and social programs.

Charter School Teachers Join the Union

Teachers at Ivy Academia in Los Angeles are the latest to join a wave of union organizing victories at charter schools. Nationally, 625 charter schools are organized.

Chicago School Closings Spark 'Wildfire' of Protest

Spontaneous protests have erupted since the district announced the most closures ever in a single year in any U.S. city. Organizers expect thousands at a citywide march and rally.

L.A. Teachers Block Outsider Attempt to Buy School Board

The Los Angeles teachers union squeaked out a victory in the school board election despite millions in corporate donations.

Immigration Reform May Come with Big Gifts to Employers

More workers getting their papers could be a breakthrough for unions—but watch for an expansion of guestworker programs, with few rights.

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