Troublemakers Blog
November 06, 2009 /
Hey, did you hear about the World Series fans that were nearly stranded in South Philadelphia due to a transit shutdown? Probably. See any stories on striking drivers or mechanics, or their struggles to endure? Probably not. The pressure on the union during Philadelphia's transit strike is relentless.
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November 06, 2009 /
Chicago saw an unusual meeting of the minds last week between two groups of workers who have taken extraordinary steps when faced with a plant closing.
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November 05, 2009 /
When the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators (CORE) endorsed two of our members as Teacher Trustees for the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund, we formulated a strategy that strayed far from the expected route. On October 30 our strategy yielded a big win for the rank-and-file movement within the 32,000-member »
November 04, 2009 /
It may soon become much easier for workers in the airline and railroad industries to form unions, and the most immediate impact may come at Delta Air Lines.
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November 04, 2009 /
Before the trick or treating began last Saturday in Chicago, 65 labor activists met at the United Electrical Workers hall to tackle the “zombie economics” of the free market, which has put the Illinois budget on its back.
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November 02, 2009 /
Editor’s note: Ford workers rejected a proposed concessions package last week that included a six-year wage freeze for new hires (who make half of current workers’ pay), combining of skilled trades, and giving up the right to strike for contract improvements. Ford had made some weak assurances of continued work and offered a $1,000 bonus.
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October 30, 2009 / Jane Slaughter
“It’s time to close the concessions stand," said the New Directions Slate, and members of Teamsters Local 814 in New York City agreed—they’ve just voted 406-154 for a reform slate headed by Jason Ide and Richie Johnson.
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October 29, 2009 / Jane Slaughter
Despite heavy pressure from United Auto Workers officials, Ford workers are voting against concessions this week. The two largest ‘no’ votes came from assembly plants in Kansas City and Walton Hills, Ohio: 92 and 88 percent.
Bloomberg News reported today that thus far four plants with 6,100 UAW members have voted yes and seven plants with 11,400 members have »
October 29, 2009 /
When members of the “lean community” (their actual phrase) took issue with my recent claim that big hotel chains' embrace of lean management techniques are a contributing trend to high injury rates for housekeepers, it's hard not to say the debate is on, brothers and sisters.
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October 29, 2009 /
The past two years have seen serious discussion among progressives about the way to restore retirement security in the face of disappearing defined-benefit pensions and private savings.
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