Climate Strikes
Feel the Heat? Climate Change Threatens Workers Health
A new report, “On the Front Lines: Climate Change Threatens the Health of America’s Workers,” was recently released by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the BlueGreen Alliance, and several labor organizations. It includes 14 first-hand stories from outdoor and indoor workers impacted by climate change.
UFCW Tracing COVID Cases for its 1.3 Million Members
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union has a form on their website, which members can use to report health and safety concerns from COVID-19.
Center for Biological Diversity, Unions, Advocates, File Legal Petition for #PPENow
Thirty labor and environmental organizations nationwide have petitioned the federal government demanding the Trump administration use the Defense Production Act to get personal protective equipment to essential workers. The emergency rule-making petition has been sent...
“Strike for Black Lives” Redefines Worker Action
Watch the livestream from the July 20 Strike for Black Lives on the Service Employees International Union Facebook page.
Save the Post Office!
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Highland Park–Los Angeles, County–California, Angelinos stood with postal workers to demand respect, while joining thousands around the country to call for $25 billion in funding and the reversal of service cuts. “It’s the people’s post office!,” one sign says.
Self-Help in the Coronavirus Depression
In the early years of the Great Depression of the 1930s, unemployed and impoverished workers turned to dramatic forms of self-help to survive. Anti-eviction “riots” led by organizations of the unemployed made it possible to protect hundreds of thousands of families from being evicted from their homes and ultimately forced government in many cities to halt evictions.
#SenateFail Day of Action
Six feet apart but together in spirit: Scranton educators tell Sen. Pat Toomey to pass the HEROES Act. “Pat Toomey and the rest of the Republicans who control the U.S. Senate need to step up and pass the HEROES Act,” says Arthur Steinberg, president of AFT Pennsylvania. “It has been nearly two months since the House passed the act, which would provide $3.2 billion in education funding to Pennsylvania. It’s long past time for the Senate to do likewise in order to ensure safe reopening of schools this fall.” Photo credit: American Federation of Teachers.
Fight Like Hell for the Living
As part of the campaign for Personal Protective Equipment and proper public health standards for workers, on July 14 the Labor Network for Sustainability launched “In Memoriam,” a new video honoring essential workers who have lost their lives after exposure to COVID-19.
Farmworkers Unionize for COVID Safety
On May 7, 50 workers at Allan Bros fruit packing factory in Naches, Washington, walked off the job demanding hazard pay, paid time off, health protection measures, and greater transparency about coronavirus threats. Ten days later the strike had spread to six Yakima Valley fruit packing houses.
Strike for Black Lives
On July 21, the Labor Network for Sustainability joined more than fifty unions, civil rights organizations, environmental groups, and others in the first Strike for Black Lives. Lead organizers of the action were the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL).