Workers Struggles
General strike paralyzes Catalonia as over half-a-million demonstrate in Barcelona
By Alejandro López, 19 October 2019
Broad sections of youth and workers mobilized to protest the police state that is emerging in Spain, and more broadly across Europe.
What autoworkers need to know about the sellout UAW-GM contract
By Tom Hall, 19 October 2019
The contract creates the conditions for a vast expansion in the use of temporary employees, while the supposed “pathway” to regular employment is worthless.
“They sold us out again!”
Autoworkers denounce UAW-GM tentative agreement
By our reporters, 19 October 2019
The contract maintains the hated multi-tier wage and benefit system; creates the conditions for expanding the use of temporary workers; and sanctions the closure of four facilities.
As Chicago teachers strike completes second day, union and Democratic Party working together to shut it down
By George Gallanis, 19 October 2019
What is happening behind the scenes is not a genuine fight between the Lightfoot administration and the CTU and SEIU, but a discussion of tactics and plans to best ram through another sellout contract.
Mack-Volvo Truck strike to idle 3,000 at Volvo’s New River Valley factory in Virginia
By Steve Filips, 19 October 2019
The strike by over 3,500 Mack-Volvo workers at production facilities in Pennsylvania and Maryland will force the layoff of 3,000 employees at the New River Valley Volvo Truck Assembly factory in Dublin, Virginia.
Tens of thousands of Indian transport and aircraft manufacturing workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
19 October 2019
Some 49,000 transport workers in the state of Telangana walked-out in defiance of government threats to their jobs, while more than 20,000 employees of a state-owned defence company took strike action.
Zimbabwe doctors’ six-week strike continues in defiance of courts; German airline cabin crew to walk out Saturday
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
19 October 2019
Doctors in Zimbabwe are demanding their wages be pegged to the US dollar in the face of runaway inflation while Lufthansa cabin crew plan to strike Saturday over wages.
UAW announces tentative agreement with GM, keeping strikers in the dark on contract terms
By Jerry White, 16 October 2019
A major factor in the UAW’s move to shut down the month-long walkout is the growing strike wave nationally, which threatens to break the union’s isolation of the GM workers.
As strike wave grows, UAW scrambles to shut down GM walkout and impose sellout contract
By Jerry White, 16 October 2019
With the walkouts by Mack-Volvo truck workers and copper miners in Arizona and Texas, and the announcement of an impending strike by 30,000 Chicago teachers and support staff, the UAW is anxious to shut down the GM strike as soon as possible.
Mack Truck, copper strikes show potential to spread GM walkout to Ford, Fiat Chrysler
By Jerry White, 15 October 2019
The United Auto Workers’ isolation of the month-long strike by GM workers can be broken if workers take the conduct of the struggle into their own hands, call out Ford and Fiat Chrysler and unify with Mack Truck strikers, copper miners and other workers.
Chilean railway workers walk out; strike vote by Vancouver BC transit workers
Workers Struggles: The Americas
15 October 2019
Workers at Ferroarriles del Pacífico struck eight cities in Chile over wages while 3,200 transit workers in Vancouver have voted to authorize strike action after months of futile negotiations.
Auto strike in peril: UAW, GM prepare to end strike and impose contract betrayal
By Tom Hall, 12 October 2019
Having isolated the strikers for four weeks, the UAW is moving to end the walkout on GM’s terms.
Five dead and almost 1,000 arrested as repression mounts in Ecuador
By Andrea Lobo, 12 October 2019
The Ombudsman Office of Ecuador confirmed that the repression has left 5 demonstrators killed, 554 injured, and 929 arrested. These numbers, however, conceal the brutality of the repression.
India: Thousands of Telangana transport workers strike; Darjeeling tea estate workers demand higher pay; New Zealand medical laboratory workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
12 October 2019
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Official cover-up continues of Australian paramedic’s suicide
By Cheryl Crisp, 12 October 2019
Undisclosed disciplinary action against senior managers over the death of Tony Jenkins is at odds with a NSW Ambulance report that identified systemic deficiencies.
Iranian Haft Tappeh sugar workers’ strike resumes; Zimbabwe’s doctors’ five-week strike continues
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
11 October 2019
Workers at the Haft Tappeh sugar cane operation are continuing a struggle over job losses and pay while doctors in Zimbabwe are fighting over pay and overall conditions in the health system.
UAW keeps GM contract proposal secret from workers at company’s request
By Eric London, 9 October 2019
The UAW is keeping workers in the dark as the strike has forced furloughs or layoffs of at least 150,000 workers across the auto industry.
India: Motherson autoworkers strike at cross roads
By Arun Kumar, 9 October 2019
Motherson workers should break the isolation imposed upon them by All India Central Council of Trade Unions and fight for the broadest mobilization of workers in India and internationally behind their struggle.
Amazon workers in California win job back for fired co-workers
By Kayla Costa, 9 October 2019
The development is a result of a recent group formed by workers at a delivery center in Sacramento, California, who submitted a petition of 78 signatures demanding the rehiring, full back pay, and paid time off for all part-time workers.
Sri Lankan railway unions end strike, after “promises” from President Sirisena
By Pradeep Ramanayake and K. Ratnayake, 9 October 2019
Sirisena’s assurances are worthless but always seized on by the union bureaucracy to shut down industrial action and impose a sell-out.
Thousands of Assam tea workers strike over bonus payments; 17,000 non-academic university workers remain on strike in Sri Lanka
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
5 October 2019
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GM shuts down Silao complex in Mexico as workers’ rebellion brews
By Andrea Lobo, 4 October 2019
The decision to close Silao was likely aimed at preempting a simmering rebellion by workers who are making appeals for a joint struggle with US strikers.
Greece hit by further 24-hour strike; Strikes and protests continue in South Africa
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
4 October 2019
On Wednesday Greek unions staged a one-day strike against right-wing changes in labour laws while strikes and protests are continuing in South Africa by bank workers, health workers, pilots, firefighters and other sections of workers.
Iraqi protesters gunned down as demonstrations and strikes spread across Middle East
By Bill Van Auken, 3 October 2019
The death toll in Iraq rose to at least nine as security forces fired into mass protests against unemployment and deteriorating conditions.
Workers protest closure of Wrightbus in Northern Ireland
By our reporters, 3 October 2019
Hundreds have been thrown out of work following the collapse of manufacturer Wrightbus last month.
GM Mexico fires another Silao worker backing US strike and shuts down the plant
By Andrea Lobo, 2 October 2019
The firings as well as the shutdown at the GM Silao Complex further demonstrate the common fate of workers across the border and the international character of the working class.
BC municipal workers authorize strike
Workers Struggles: The Americas
1 October 2019
The threatened strike by municipal workers in Coldstream, British Columbia comes as 1,000 hotel workers are continuing their strike in Vancouver and 3,000 BC forestry workers remain on strike against Western Forest Products.
US and Mexican autoworkers call for united struggle against GM and auto companies
By Tom Hall, 28 September 2019
More than 200 autoworkers and other sections of the working class discussed an international perspective to win the General Motors strike in a call-in meeting Thursday hosted by the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter.
India: Police arrest hundreds of striking Motherson autoworkers at protest
By Moses Rajkumar and Sasi Kumar, 28 September 2019
The state government is seeking to break the month-long strike for decent wages and conditions.
Growing strike wave challenges Sri Lankan government
By K. Ratnayake, 28 September 2019
The Sri Lankan trade unions are hostile to a unified movement of working people against the Colombo government’s IMF-dictated austerity policies.
Chicago teachers vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike
By Kristina Betinis, 28 September 2019
The 94 percent authorization vote is a powerful expression of opposition to the conditions imposed by decades of Democratic mayoral administrations.
Striking University of Chicago nurses return to work after five-day lock-out
By Benjamin Mateus, 28 September 2019
The nurses returned to work on Wednesday without any resolution of their grievances.
Half a million Indian coal workers strike; New South Wales coal miners fight for higher pay; Fenner Dunlop strike continues in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
28 September 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
GM restores health care to strikers in maneuver to smooth path for UAW sellout
By Tom Hall, 27 September 2019
Media commentators feared the cutoff of healthcare would backfire, with the Detroit Free Press likening it to “pouring gas on the fire,” and only harden workers’ resolve against both GM and the UAW.
“It would be wonderful if the strike expanded to the other auto plants”
Michigan auto parts worker speaks in support of GM strike
By our reporter, 27 September 2019
General Motors is seeking to replicate the highly exploitative conditions existing in the auto parts industry into its assembly plants, counting on the collaboration of the UAW.
UK pilots’ union BALPA shuts down strikes at two airlines
By our reporter, 27 September 2019
From the beginning, BALPA worked to strangle the struggle of the pilots and prevent a unified offensive by pilots across the industry with other airline staff.
South Korean autoworkers join global fight against GM
By Ben McGrath, 26 September 2019
Workers in South Korea, the United States, and around the world face the same fight against GM and other corporations.
South Korean autoworkers join global fight against GM
By Ben McGrath, 26 September 2019
Workers in South Korea, the United States, and around the world face the same fight against GM and other corporations.
Wall Street to General Motors: End strike and ram through cuts
By Tom Hall, 21 September 2019
Statements from credit agencies and the financial press demonstrate that striking GM workers are not simply confronting GM CEO Mary Barra and other executives, but the entire capitalist class.
“We will not submit, and we will not bow out.”
Hundreds of autoworkers discuss GM strike and global strategy in online meeting
By Marcus Day and Evan Blake, 21 September 2019
Over 300 workers from the US, Mexico, Canada and other countries participated in the second WSWS Autoworker Newsletter online forum, with many expressing their desire to expand the GM strike.
“Go on strike ‘til you get it right!”
Detroit rapper GmacCash supports striking autoworkers
By Kathleen Martin, 21 September 2019
The former autoworker spoke to the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter about life in the auto plants and why he supports the striking workers.
“Take control of the struggle!” Logistics workers at UPS and FedEx support GM strike, warn of union treachery
By George Marlowe, 21 September 2019
Workers at UPS, where the Teamsters union forced through a sellout last year, and at FedEx are closely watching the GM strike and support a unified struggle of the working class.
University of Chicago nurses locked out for conducting a one-day strike
By Benjamin Mateus, 21 September 2019
More than 2,200 nurses at the University of Chicago Medical Center who conducted a one-day strike face a five-day lockout as temporary nurses were hired to fill in.
Older people keep working due to economic necessity in Australia
By Margaret Rees, 21 September 2019
The development of technology should mean working lives are shortened, but under the capitalist profit system people are forced to work longer.
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
GM workers in South Korea strike over wages; Pakistan higher education teachers walkout; Psychologists continue industrial action in New Zealand
21 September 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
21 September 2019
UK lecturers and academic staff ballot to strike against huge pension and pay cuts
By Alice Summers, 18 September 2019
This latest strike ballot comes only 18 months after lecturers and academic staff took 14 days of industrial action that included a rebellion against the union leaders.
BREAKING: Trump administration intervenes in bid to shut down GM strike
By Tom Hall, 17 September 2019
Autoworkers must be warned: the intervention by the Trump administration is not in their interests. All of their demands will be swept aside on the basis of lying promises about “saving American jobs."
GM hiring scabs to replace strikers at Missouri and Texas assembly plants
By Tom Hall, 17 September 2019
Autoworkers at the Wentzville, Missouri and Arlington, Texas assembly plants confirmed that GM is hiring strikebreakers to operate the plant during the strike.
“All the union officials should be put back on the line and work ten years as TPTs”
GM workers determined to fight as Ford and Chrysler workers press to join strike
By Jerry White, 17 September 2019
On their first day on the picket lines, General Motors workers are expressing their determination to fight the auto giant. Workers are winning broad popular support for their stand in defense of health care and an end to the abuse of younger second-tier and temporary part-time (TPT) workers.
015 GM Mexico workers refuse to increase production
17 September 2019
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians reject contract proposals, launch strike
By Dmitri Church and Harvey Simpkins, 17 September 2019
The overwhelming votes changed the BSO musicians’ struggle from a summer lockout into a full-scale strike.
Colombian teachers strike to protest far-right violence
Workers Struggles: The Americas
17 September 2019
Teachers across Colombia staged another nationwide strike on September 12 to protest continuing violence and threats by far-right paramilitary groups.
Germany: IG Metall union concludes pact with corporate bosses and government against workers
By Ulrich Rippert, 16 September 2019
The union is offering to cooperate in “structural changes” that will boost the profits of the auto companies.
045 Baltimore symphony lockout
16 September 2019
UAW President Jones, former President Williams identified as co-conspirators in corruption scandal one day before contracts expire
By Tom Hall, 14 September 2019
With only hours to go before the expiration of the auto contract, the current and former presidents of the UAW have been exposed as gangsters and the “union” as a criminal syndicate.
US autoworkers want all out strike as contract deadline approaches at GM, Ford and Chrysler
By Shannon Jones, 14 September 2019
As the contract deadline for 158,000 autoworkers nears its expiration this weekend, workers at the Detroit automakers say they are ready to walk out to win back decades of concessions.
French transit workers strike against attack on pensions
By Will Morrow, 14 September 2019
The trade unions are seeking to prevent any struggle against Macron’s attack through a series of isolated one-day actions over the next month.
Defending pensions against Macron requires an international political strategy
By Alex Lantier, 14 September 2019
The way forward to defend pensions and oppose the well-advanced drive towards fascistic police state rule is to turn to the international working class.
Two workers crushed to death at Michigan granite supplier
By Kathleen Martin, 14 September 2019
The fire department immediately shut down the Stone Warehouse shop after the accident for multiple safety violations.
Boston transit system limps along as MBTA carries out disruptive repairs
By Andrew Timon, 14 September 2019
After five train derailments so far this year—and an astounding 43 from 2014 to 2018—along with mass delays and commuter outrage over fare hikes, the MBTA is in crisis mode.
IG Metall plays treacherous role in the Riva steelworkers strike
By Marianne Arens, 14 September 2019
The allies of striking Riva workers are not union officials but workers across Germany and internationally that are facing similar attacks.
Canada’s pseudo-left Fightback group covers for Steelworkers’ betrayal of ABI workers
By Félix Gauthier and Richard Dufour, 14 September 2019
Fightback’s miserable apologetics for the union bureaucracy goes hand in hand with its promotion of Quebec nationalism.
Jammu & Kashmir power workers demand outstanding salaries; Pakistan tourism workers oppose job cuts
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
14 September 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
015 UAW threatens rank and file committees
14 September 2019
As union prepares sell-out of their struggle
Unifor President Jerry Dias addresses Nemak workers in Windsor
By Carl Bronski, 13 September 2019
A court ruling is expected as soon as Friday on an order demanding the taking down of picket lines at the parts plant where workers walked out last week in defence of jobs.
Slovenian pilots strike; Paris, France rail and metro strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
13 September 2019
Slovenian pilots carried out a three-day stoppage September 8 - 10 over contract issues while Paris Metro workers are set to strike Friday to protest adverse pension changes by the Macron government.
The struggle of autoworkers against GM, Ford, and Chrysler requires a global strategy
By Jerry White, 11 September 2019
Just days before 158,000 US autoworkers face a contract deadline, GM workers in Korea and Mexico have entered the battle, underscoring the need to unify autoworkers across national borders.
As contract deadline looms in US, 8,000 GM autoworkers strike in South Korea
By James Cogan, 10 September 2019
The issues over which the Korean workers are striking are ones that their American co-workers will readily identify with.
Build action committees! Expand the strike!
A socialist perspective for the Sri Lankan university employees’ struggle
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 10 September 2019
Non-academic university staff, who are beginning an indefinite strike today, should expand their struggle by appealing to other sections of the working class.
UFCW announces deal ahead of strike deadline in Southern California grocery dispute
Workers Struggles: the Americas
10 September 2019
The union representing some 46,000 grocery workers announced a deal Sunday ahead of a September 9 strike deadline at four major chains, with voting set for this week.
Hong Kong protesters: Turn to the Chinese working class, not US imperialism
By Peter Symonds, 9 September 2019
Any turn to the United States plays directly into the hands of Beijing, which seeks to malign the Hong Kong protests as the work of radical agitators and the “black hand” of Washington.
Countdown to contract fight: In final week before contract expires, autoworkers gear up for struggle against companies and UAW
By Tom Hall, 9 September 2019
A ferment is taking hold among autoworkers, who are determined to win back everything that has been taken from them.
India: Maharashtra health workers protest; Sri Lankan government workers demand higher pay; New Zealand casino workers extend strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
7 September 2019
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UK and Spanish Ryanair pilots continue strikes; first-ever national strike by Dutch care workers; South African Bank workers to strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
6 September 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
“It’s our time”: US autoworkers denounce UAW corruption, vow to fight as contract deadline approaches
By our reporter, 3 September 2019
The exposure of widespread corruption in the United Auto Workers leadership has only hardened the resolve of US autoworkers to make gains in the upcoming contract fight.
040 AT&T contract
3 September 2019
Australian worker killed in fall on Sydney construction site
By Terry Cook, 3 September 2019
Mohamad Riche, who died in an avoidable accident on August 21, was the sixth construction worker in Australia to lose his life on worksites this year.
Colombian public-school teachers strike, protest for two days
Workers Struggles: The Americas
3 September 2019
The nationwide strike by educators over education cuts was aimed at pressuring the right-wing government of Iván Duque to reverse its course.
Autoworkers conclude near-unanimous strike votes as corruption scandal targets charity run by UAW president
By Joseph Kishore, 31 August 2019
Strike votes over the past week have registered autoworkers’ determination to fight, with near unanimous votes in Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky, from 94 to 99 percent to authorize a strike.
Chicago-area college advertises for strikebreakers as faculty walkout looms
By Michael Walters, 31 August 2019
After years of pay freezes, hundreds of College of DuPage teachers are determined to restore their wages and prevent further attacks on working conditions.
Motherson autoworkers strike in India; Madhya Pradesh railway workers oppose privatisation; Melbourne tram workers walk out
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
31 August 2019
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Hong Kong mass rally banned as Chinese troops deployed in show of force
By Mike Head, 30 August 2019
Beijing is well aware that the protracted protests are being driven by underlying student and working class concerns about escalating social inequality.
UK postal strike looms; British Airways pilots and Spanish Ryanair staff to strike; South African national truck strike call on social media
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
30 August 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
AT&T strikers show their power, but face union-company gang-up
By Samuel Davidson and Patrick Martin, 27 August 2019
Even though the the 22,000 AT&T workers on strike in nine states throughout the South are determined to fight, the CWA union is doing everything possible to isolate and contain the struggle.
Tensions rise as unions and district attempt to head off strike by Las Vegas teachers
By Dan Conway, 27 August 2019
After thousands of teachers flooded a meeting of the Clark County School District demanding their contractually-mandated raises, school board members abruptly ended the meeting before being escorted out by police.
US Steel to lay off 150 workers in Indiana as Trump administration escalates trade war
By Jessica Goldstein, 27 August 2019
The announcement of the layoffs in East Chicago follows US Steel’s declaration earlier this month that up to 200 workers will lose their jobs at its Great Lakes Works facility outside Detroit.
Uruguayan health care workers strike, teachers poised to walk out in Washington state, British Columbia
Workers Struggles: The Americas
27 August 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Del Monte Foods to close plants in Illinois and Minnesota
By Andy Thompson, 26 August 2019
Packaged food company Del Monte will lay off over 800 workers and close two plants in small towns in Illinois and Minnesota.
20,000 AT&T workers strike as GM, Ford and Chrysler contract deadline looms
By Eric London, 26 August 2019
The largest strike in the American South in recent history captures a growing mood of militancy among workers worldwide.
Strike votes continue as autoworkers gear up for contract fight against GM, Ford, and Chrysler
By our reporters, 24 August 2019
The balloting is taking place under conditions in which the union has been widely discredited by its role in forcing through decades of sellout contracts and an expanding corruption scandal.
Machinists on strike at Berkshire Hathaway-owned Special Metals in New Hartford, New York
By Steve Filips, 24 August 2019
More than 200 workers at Special Metals rejected the company’s last contract proposal and have been on strike since last Saturday.
Hundreds of workers laid off, have healthcare eliminated as Philadelphia refinery closes
By Samuel Davidson, 24 August 2019
Workers at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery, which is being shut down after a major explosion in June, will receive no severance pay and have had their healthcare coverage terminated.
Unifor convention gives centre-stage to Trudeau, Freeland and the Liberal re-election campaign
By Roger Jordan and Carl Bronski, 24 August 2019
Unifor is spearheading a massive union drive to keep the big business, pro-austerity, pro-war Trudeau Liberal government in power.
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
23 August 2019
Portuguese truck drivers’ strike called off but dispute continues; further strikes by ground staff at Spain’s Barcelona airport; national strike at Nigeria’s universities
Regional strike against mining project fuels divisions within Peru’s crisis-ridden government
By Armando Cruz and Cesar Uco, 22 August 2019
Thousands of people joined the strike, confronting military police, blocking the Pan-American highway and the streets of Arequipa’s capital city and shutting down a major port.
Anger among couriers is growing after Deliveroo quits Germany
By Gregor Link, 21 August 2019
Hundreds of couriers working for the online delivery service were informed in a short e-mail last week that they would be unemployed by Friday.
Massive protests in Brazil against education policies of Bolsonaro
Workers Struggles: The Americas
20 August 2019
Hundreds of thousands staged protests last week across Brazil last week in major cities targeting the policies of the Bolsanaro administration, in particular those attacking education.
“That was our money!” Autoworkers livid over UAW corruption scandal
By Shannon Jones, 17 August 2019
Less than one month remains before the expiration of contracts covering 155,000 US auto workers, and there is growing rank-and-file outrage over rampant union corruption.
Australian health workers protest assaults on staff
By John Wilson, 17 August 2019
The Health Services Union limited the action and channelled workers’ anger into a demand for more security officers, not for increased funding and staffing.
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