Climate Strikes
Workers vs. the Coronavirus Depression
While the number of trade union strikes this year are lower than previous years, there have so far been hundreds of wildcat strikes without union authorization, primarily in the fight for worker safety amid COVID and racial justice. The Strike for Black Lives, which took place on July 20, 2020 is one such example.
Striking in the Coronavirus Depression
In response to COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Depression, workers have developed unique strategies and forms of organization to protect their lives and livelihoods. We saw in “Fighting the Great Depression — from Below” how in the early years of the Great Depression conventional trade union strikes became a rarity, but workers organized themselves in community-based, “horizontal” ways to fight for their survival. This commentary and the next describe the emergence of strikes for protection against COVID-19. This series will conclude with an evaluation of the prospects of “people power” in the Coronavirus Depression.
Teachers Union Supports Green New Deal
At its July convention, the American Federation of Teachers adopted a resolution backing the Green New Deal proposal to counter climate change.
Alameda Labor Council Calls for a Green Recovery
The Alameda Labor Council, which represents 135,000 workers in 135 unions in California’s Bay Area, just passed a resolution endorsing a “Green Recovery” for these purposes…
Unions Back Plan to Protect Workers in Culver City Oil Plant Closing
More than one million people live within five miles of the massive Inglewood Oil Field, the largest urban oil field in the nation, sprawled across Culver City and the historically African American neighborhood of Baldwin Hills.
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.