Workers Struggles
As Canada Post steps up provocations, union silent on back-to-work law threat
By Roger Jordan and Keith Jones, 17 November 2018
A government source told Canadian Press Friday evening that state intervention against postal workers could come as early as Sunday, adding, in a reference to Trudeau’s earlier threat, “‘all the options’ does include legislating.”
UAW hides details of new tentative agreement from Indiana Lear workers
By Marcus Day, 17 November 2018
Workers are increasingly angry over the information blackout being carried out by both the company and the union.
Scotland: Michelin plans closure of Dundee plant with loss of 845 jobs
Rank-and file organisations needed to organise fight-back
By Steve James, 17 November 2018
French-based transnational Michelin’s decision to close its Dundee tyre manufacturing plant poses workers with the challenge of creating new organisations of struggle.
The government’s $4.6 billion handout to Amazon
Why Amazon should be expropriated
By Tom Carter, 17 November 2018
The billions in subsidies granted to Amazon for its new headquarters demonstrate the prostration of the entire political establishment before this massive conglomerate.
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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Spanish Amazon strike threat, Strikes spread in Iran
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
16 November 2018
Workers at Amazon logistic centers are threatening a series of holiday strikes while Iranian teachers, truck drivers and sugar workers conduct work stoppages.
French teachers mobilize against Macron’s attacks on education
By Anthony Torres, 15 November 2018
Monday’s strike was the first day of action called by the education unions since 2011.
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15 November 2018
Workers Struggles: The Americas
13 November 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature
After campaign of threats and intimidation, Teamsters announces “yes” vote on sellout UPS Freight contract
By Will Morrow, 12 November 2018
The vote is in effect a declaration of no confidence in the union by workers, who know it would not wage any struggle for their interests.
060 Kentucky Amazon worker killed
12 November 2018
Fort Wayne GM worker alleges UAW-management collusion in unjust termination
By Shannon Jones, 10 November 2018
After being fired, Ami Reveal, a veteran GM worker, went to the union, desperate for help. She told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter, "What I got from the union was ‘do your job or else.’”
The kiss of death: Stalinists seek to tie Tamil Nadu auto strikes to right-wing parties
By Arun Kumar, 10 November 2018
Opposing all attempts to broaden the struggle, the Stalinists convened an “all party” meeting, where they touted the leaders of opposition parties and their affiliated unions as the strikers’ allies.
New Zealand rail union enforces another pro-company pay deal
By our correspondent, 10 November 2018
In 2016, the Labour Party-dominated Greater Wellington Regional Council privatised the region's commuter rail service, to save $NZ100 million over 15 years at the expense of jobs, wages and conditions.
Trudeau threatens to criminalize Canada Post strike
By Roger Jordan, 10 November 2018
The union leadership has done everything to limit postal workers’ job action, isolating it from the rest of the working class and allowing the government to go on the offensive.
Break the isolation of UPS Freight workers! Form rank-and-file committees to unite workers against the company!
By the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter, 10 November 2018
If approved, the contract would create a new tier of lower-paid drivers, maintain poverty-level wages of part-time warehouse dockworkers, and continue the undermining of full-time positions.
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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“The Teamsters union is with the company”
UPS workers oppose Teamsters isolation of freight division, call for united struggle
By Will Morrow, 9 November 2018
The union is seeking to reduce the voter turnout to below 50 percent in order to use a constitutional loophole to declare the contract ratified.
Nigerian unions call off general strike over minimum wage
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
9 November 2018
Nigeria’s three main labour federations called off a general strike set for November 6 and announced that they had reached an undisclosed settlement with the government over a rise in the country’s minimum wage.
Plantation unions move to shut down wage struggle amid Sri Lankan political crisis
By W. A. Sunil, 7 November 2018
The long-running plantation workers’ pay dispute has won powerful support from young people and other sections of the Sri Lankan working class.
UPS Freight, Teamsters to workers: Vote “yes” or face lockout and lose your health care
By Will Morrow, 7 November 2018
The Teamsters union has already declared it will refuse to call out UPS small package workers in the event of a strike or lockout in the freight division.
Work stoppages by Argentine air cabin crew members lead to flight cancellations
Workers Struggles: The Americas
6 November 2018
A surprise walkout by workers at three airlines on November 2 over downsizing led to number of flight cancellations at Jorge Newbery terminal outside of Buenos Aires.
Chicago charter school teachers vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike
By Kristina Betinis, 5 November 2018
Charter school teachers are determined to improve pay and classroom conditions, but they cannot advance their fight through the Chicago Teachers Union.
As workers’ opposition grows to Teamsters contract, UPS Freight prepares for strike
By Will Morrow, 3 November 2018
Workers voted by more than 62 percent to reject the UPS Freight contract on October 5.
“They are trying to outsource to cut costs and pit us against each other”
Allison Transmission workers speak out on UAW-management collaboration
By George Kirby and Shannon Jones, 3 November 2018
Allison Transmission workers in Indianapolis, Indiana are complaining about the outsourcing of jobs, speed-up and lack of representation by the United Auto Workers.
As US Steel and ArcelorMittal announce booming profits, the United Steelworkers pushes sellout deals
By our reporters, 3 November 2018
In the midst of a huge profit bonanza, unions like the USW, working on behalf of corporate management, are shamelessly telling workers it is they who must give back.
New Zealand: Bus union ends Wellington strike
By Tom Peters, 3 November 2018
The transport unions have sought to divide and demoralise workers and subordinate them to the Labour Party-led government.
Mass strikes by transport workers and government employees in India
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
3 November 2018
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Italian and Portuguese public sector workers strike; UK rail strikes continue
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
2 November 2018
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Fiat Chrysler workers hit with temporary layoffs across North America
By Jacob Crosse, 1 November 2018
FCA workers in Windsor, Canada, and factories in Illinois and Indiana are on temporary layoff due to falling sales.
Indian state government arrests at least 14 union leaders
By Kranti Kumar, 29 October 2018
The Hindu-extremist BJP government in the northern Indian state of Haryana has arrested union leaders after 200,000 workers took action in solidarity with striking public transport workers.
“This union is taking food out of my kid’s mouth”
Lear Portage autoworker denounces UAW collusion with management
By Marcus Day, 29 October 2018
Workers at Lear have described a regime of harassment and intimidation carried out jointly by management and the UAW.
AFSCME officials attempt to suppress WSWS reporting team
Union shuts down three-day strike by California health care and service workers
By Evelyn Rios, 27 October 2018
AFSCME has kept its 25,000 members on the job without a contract for over a year. Their current contract expired June 30, 2017.
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.
“We should all be fighting together”
Teamsters union isolates 8,500 Chicago UPS workers
By George Marlowe, 26 October 2018
After defying the UPS workers’ “no” vote, the Teamsters is isolating thousands of Chicago-area workers.
The UAW is “letting the company get away with anything”
Growing opposition among autoworkers to brutal treatment of temporary workers
By our reporter, 26 October 2018
An interview posted by the WSWS with a veteran worker at Ford Woodhaven Stamping where a young autoworker died last year has gained wide readership.
Growing strikes in South Africa; more UK rail strikes
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
26 October 2018
Workers in South Africa’s plastics industry are continuing their strike after an attempt by employers to ban the walkout was temporarily defeated.
After Teamsters overrule “no” vote on contract, UPS earnings up 20 percent
By Will Morrow, 25 October 2018
The continuous growth in profits is facilitated by the Teamsters union, which functions as an instrument of UPS management and cheap labor contractor.
Build rank and file strike committees
For a nationwide hotel walkout!
By Kevin Martinez, 25 October 2018
More than 8,000 hotel workers are currently on strike in nine cities, but the UNITE HERE union is isolating the struggle and preparing its defeat.
“The union rammed all these things down our throats”
UPS prepares to impose contract after Teamsters defy workers ‘no’ vote
By Will Morrow, 22 October 2018
Workers have reported that management has already begun to implement the terms of the illegitimate contract.
Vote “no” on the USW-US Steel concessions contract!
By the WSWS Steelworker Newsletter, 22 October 2018
Form rank-and-file committees to mobilize all steelworkers in a common fight!
UC healthcare and service workers to begin three-day strike
By Evelyn Rios, 20 October 2018
AFSCME and other unions at UC are working overtime to prevent any significant struggle by workers, and sabotage it if it erupts anyway.
“McStrike”: UK unions police anger of young workers
By Alice Summers and Robert Stevens, 20 October 2018
Behind talk of a coordinated struggle, the demand of service workers for better pay and conditions is being misled by the trade unions.
Quebec: Nine-month lockout continues, as talks at Alcoa’s ABI smelter collapse
By Laurent Lafrance, 20 October 2018
Confident that the Steelworkers union will continue to leave the ABI workers to fight alone, the aluminum bosses have repeatedly upped their concession demands.
Still no investigation into death of young autoworker
One year since the death of Jacoby Hennings
By Jerry White, 20 October 2018
A year after the tragic loss of this young Ford worker, family, friends and co-workers continue to demand the truth about his sudden and untimely death.
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 York City teachers union attempts to rush through sellout contract
By Guillaume Garnier and Steve Light, 19 October 2018
The United Federation of Teachers is trying to sell its membership a contract that cuts health care, reduces real wages and maintains poor conditions for students.
Layoffs at Fiat Chrysler's Kokomo transmission operations heighten concerns over outsourcing
By Shannon Jones, 19 October 2018
Temporary layoffs affecting more than 3,000 employees have hit Fiat Chrysler workers at two Kokomo, Indiana transmission plants.
220 Hotel strike
19 October 2018
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
South African plastics workers in national strike; Capetown transport workers wildcat
19 October 2018
Some 10,000 plastics workers in South Africa are on strike seeking the revocation of a pay reduction while bus drivers in Capetown walked out Monday demanding improvements in wages and working conditions.
Widespread opposition to Teamsters’ override of UPS workers’ contract rejection
By our reporters, 15 October 2018
A worker from southern California reported that during balloting on the contract, UPS management asked workers how they voted and whether they wanted to change their vote.
Bonus removal cancels out Amazon’s UK pay rise
By Alice Summers, 13 October 2018
Workers are effectively paying for their own wage increase through the slashing of employee benefits, share and incentive schemes, with some possibly seeing a net loss.
US hotel workers continue strikes in eight cities
By our reporters, 13 October 2018
The workers are rebelling against poverty level wages and inadequate benefits that have left many struggling to keep their heads above water.
Sri Lankan tea estate workers step up demands for higher pay
By M. Thevarajah, 13 October 2018
Demonstrations by estate workers underscore growing working-class opposition to the attacks of the government and employers.
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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Argentine teachers facing massive pay cuts strike for 48 hours
By Andrea Lobo, 12 October 2018
Teachers face losing a quarter of their real wages this year, while Macri’s austerity policies threaten to cut funding for public education by up to 40 percent in real terms.
As union ignores strike authorization votes
Tubing company locks out steelworkers in Trenton, Georgia
By Shelley Connor, 12 October 2018
The United Steelworkers continues to force US Steel and ArcelorMittal workers to stay on the job, despite unanimous strike votes.
As APWU keeps workers on the job
US Postal Service workers protest Trump’s privatization plans
By George Marlowe, 12 October 2018
Postal workers in more than 140 cities protested Trump’s privatization proposals while unions keep 200,000 workers on the job weeks after their contract expired on September 20.
Further UK rail strikes; Nigerian unions sell out minimum wage dispute
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
12 October 2018
Workers at Arriva rail have launched yet another strike against driver only operated trains while the Nigerian trade unions have shut down a general strike after only two days.
Ongoing opposition to Teamsters ramming through UPS contract despite workers’ vote
By our reporters, 11 October 2018
In order to push through the contract, Teamsters officials have dredged up a never-used obscure clause in the union constitution, stuck in 30 years ago.
Musicians at Chicago’s Lyric Opera strike for the first time in 50 years
By our reporters, 11 October 2018
Musicians at Chicago’s Lyric Opera have gone on strike as funding to the arts is drastically cut in the United States.
065 Steelworkers lockout in Georgia
11 October 2018
080 USPS contract protest
11 October 2018
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.
Detroit Westin Book Cadillac workers join hotel walkouts
By a WSWS reporting team, 8 October 2018
The 160 strikers in Detroit include housekeepers, cashiers, servers, barmen and desk personnel, who have had no substantial pay rise since 2008.
After “no” vote by UPS workers, Teamsters bureaucracy declares contract ratified
By Jerry White, 8 October 2018
The naked fact is that the rank and file voted down the contract and the Teamsters union is despotically ignoring their vote and imposing it anyway.
Teamsters union defies “no” vote, declares UPS contract ratified
By Will Morrow, 6 October 2018
Workers voted by 54.7 percent to reject the sellout contract backed by UPS management and the Teamsters union, as other UPS workers also rejected sellout contracts.
UPS workers denounce Teamsters effort to impose sellout contract, despite “no” vote
By our reporters, 6 October 2018
The Teamsters has declared that it considers its sellout contract ratified despite the fact that more than 54 percent of workers voted “no.”
Los Angeles teachers union continues to delay strike action as negotiations proceed
By Dan Conway, 6 October 2018
The union for Los Angeles teachers is fighting to block strike action, despite teachers working without a contract and authorizing a strike.
The destruction of Germany’s Thyssenkrupp and the role of the IG Metall union
By Dietmar Henning, 6 October 2018
The decision to break up the Thyssenkrupp multinational conglomerate, in which the IG Metall union has played a key role, has been secretly prepared for months.
UK: No to Driver Only Trains in any form, mobilise against rail union sellout
By Michael Barnes, 6 October 2018
The struggle by rail workers in defense of jobs is in danger, due to the systematic sabotage of their fight by the unions.
Teamsters union defies “no” vote, declares UPS contract ratified
Organize independent rank-and-file committees to prepare strike action!
By WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter, 6 October 2018
The WSWS calls on workers to establish independent organizations to break the conspiracy of the Teamsters and UPS to ram through the agreement despite the “no” vote.
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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Teamsters head threatens to impose UPS contract even if workers reject it
By Will Morrow, 5 October 2018
As far as the union is concerned, workers have the right to vote, as long as they vote the right way.
Workers strike at Marriott hotels in Boston and San Francisco
By John Marion, 5 October 2018
The picket is part of the walkout by 1,500 workers against the Marriott International hotel chain in Boston.
Workers strike in Finland, UK rail strikes continue, Nigerian unions call off general strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
5 October 2018
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What’s behind Amazon’s plan to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour?
By Jerry White, 3 October 2018
With anger growing over poverty level wages and sweatshop conditions at Amazon, the retail giant and logistics company will implement a small pay increase on November 1.
Widespread opposition to sellout UPS contract in run-up to Friday vote deadline
By our reporters, 3 October 2018
The Teamsters’ strategy of lies has been developed in collaboration with BerlinRosen, the Democratic Party-aligned public relations firm.
United Steelworkers union pushes concessions at US iron ore producer Cleveland Cliffs
By Samuel Davidson, 3 October 2018
The United Steelworkers is seeking to push through a concessions contract with Cleveland-Cliffs that will set a precedent for cutting healthcare and keeping wages stagnant.
Costa Rican public workers’ strike enters its fourth week
Workers Struggles: The Americas
2 October 2018
The striking workers are resisting government austerity measures in the teeth of savage state repression.
New Zealand primary teachers reject sellout pay offer
By Tom Peters, 29 September 2018
The Labour Party-NZ First government’s offer of a meagre 3 percent per year for three years, with no measures to address the staffing crisis, was resoundingly rejected by primary school teachers.
Sri Lankan plantation workers demonstrate for higher wages
By M. Thevarajah, 29 September 2018
The union-controlled protest was organised to promote illusions that the companies and the government will grant a “reasonable” pay rise for estate workers.
“The union is not for all of us”
Indianapolis Allison Transmission workers face stonewalling by UAW over contract terms, pensions
By George Kirby and Shannon Jones, 29 September 2018
Workers at the global transmission company report that the UAW is withholding information regarding their contract.
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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After a decade of falling pay, US Federal Reserve acts to stop “wage inflation”
By Jerry White, 28 September 2018
The central bank executives understand that investors tend to make far more money when the sword of mass unemployment hangs over workers’ heads.
Argentina’s Macri responds to fourth general strike with yet another IMF package
By Andrea Lobo, 28 September 2018
The trade union bureaucracies, most of which had agreed to a truce with the Macri administration during the beginning of his term, are seeking to contain growing social anger.
Operating engineers’ union bows to strikebreaking threats by Michigan governor, contractors
By Tim Rivers, 28 September 2018
Less than 24 hours before a Michigan contractors’ association was set to begin hiring scab replacements for 2,000 roadway construction workers it had locked out, Operating Engineers Local 324 ordered its members to return to work without a contract or any resolution to the dispute that has closed 164 road building projects for more than three weeks.
United Steelworkers union claims it is preparing to strike ArcelorMittal
By Jessica Goldstein, 28 September 2018
After a unanimous vote to authorize a walkout, pressure is growing from rank-and-file workers to launch the first national strike since 1986.
BJP government pushes Air India into financial morass to hasten privatization
By Kranti Kumara, 28 September 2018
The Indian government is determined to sell off what is among the country’s most identifiable companies internationally, so as to underline its commitment to the fire sale of public assets.
Rail workers to continue strikes at UK franchises, Gaza UNWRA workers strike; police attack Swaziland strikers
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
28 September 2018
A national stoppage of Ghana’s 4,000 tanker drivers was called off by the unions barely 24 hours after an initial strike call.
26 September 2018
26 September 2018
Snyder administration backs strikebreaking threat by Michigan road construction contractors
By Shannon Jones, 26 September 2018
The Snyder administration and road construction contractors are preparing to hire strikebreakers to replace some 2,000 locked out heavy equipment operators.
26 September 2018
Class struggle escalates in Dominican Republic
Workers Struggles: the Americas
25 September 2018
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Michigan governor prepares to deploy National Guard to replace locked-out roadway workers
By Tim Rivers, 24 September 2018
While preparing to deploy troops, Snyder brought in union leaders, who agreed to a "cooling-off" period after meeting with administration officials.
UNITE HERE isolates striking Chicago hotel workers, rams through deal with Marriott
By Marcus Day, 22 September 2018
UNITE HERE Local 1 abruptly announced Thursday afternoon that a contract had been ratified at seven hotels in Chicago, while workers at 19 other hotels remain on strike.
“The economy did not recover for me under Obama”
Striking Chicago Hyatt workers describe fight against hotel giants
By George Marlowe and Marcus Day, 22 September 2018
Chicago hotel workers spoke with the WSWS about the significance of their struggle prior to the announcement by the UNITE HERE union that it was shutting down the strike at many of the targeted hotels.
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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UAW corruption scandal widens as US workers press for wage increases
By Jerry White, 21 September 2018
As autoworkers in Kokomo, Indiana and elsewhere come into struggle, the biggest obstacle they face is the corporatist and anti-working class United Auto Workers.
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