The general quiet of the current Chicago labor scene has been broken by two important events: the auto mechanics’ strike and the Naperville teachers’ contract battle.
Movements
Did supporting a Democrat help Cook County strikers?
The reality is that this strategy has failed. The person who the union leadership has been endorsing and donating to led the charge against the union.
“Toni, Toni, Toni… Full of Baloney!”
Saturday’s rally highlighted many of the themes of the strike. There were about two hundred, mainly African American, strikers at the rally. There was great pride that not only had Stroger Hospital struck, but workers in all parts of the County system were also out.
How much workers’ resistance is there today?
There are some long hard strikes and lockouts taking place. There are not a lot of them, but they deserve our support and solidarity. They take place in the overall context of a low level of class struggle.
Labor Notes: April month of trouble making (part III)
The bi-annual Labor Notes conferences have become perhaps the most important gathering places for the left in the labor movement. The purpose of this article is to report on these meetings.
Labor Notes: April month of trouble making (part II)
The bi-annual Labor Notes conferences have become perhaps the most important gathering places for the left in the labor movement. The purpose of this article is to report on these meetings.
Labor Notes: April month of trouble making (part I)
The bi-annual Labor Notes conferences have become perhaps the most important gathering places for the left in the labor movement. The purpose of this article is to report on these meetings.
BAmazon: The morning after…
Labor law is not the main factor holding back the labor movement. Our movement is being held back by the lack of victories against the employer in the workplaces.
Red shirts in Bourbonnais
The Bourbonnais Education Association (BEA) went on strike for a week starting on March 4. The purpose of this article is to explain what led to the strike and the main issues involved.
BAmazon: union yes!
The reasons why the workers want a union are not surprising. Covid was obviously a major issue. Lack of proper safety procedures has been a worker concern at Amazon facilities nationally.
New report shows low strike numbers
Covid changed everything in the country and has certainly affected the labor movement. So, it’s quite reasonable to see Covid as a unique and unusual damper on militancy.
Chicago teachers continue fight for school safety
The union has argued that the poor condition of the school buildings, the very uneven protective measures taken by the CPS, and the difficulties of social distancing with younger children all make the spread of the virus a serious concern.
Hunts Point Strike: Fightback is possible!
When the working class movement is seen as a movement of action and struggle, people become open to its fundamental world outlook. Ideas of class solidarity and unity come forward.
Chicago teachers say, “Safe Return or No Return!”
The most probable explanation for Lightfoot’s rush to reopen the school system is class vindictiveness towards the CTU. Lightfoot feels, correctly, that she was bested by the CTU in the 2019 strike.
Healthcare workers fight both the virus and the employers
The length of a healthcare strike during a medical crisis is a thorny problem that unionists will need to think carefully about. Instant cries of bureaucratic betrayal may miss the mark.