by Sam Skinner This article was originally published in the September issue of Socialism Today! Subscribe here. In mid-July, the Starbucks workers in Biddeford, Maine, joined the ranks of over 200 other recently organized Starbucks locations by winning their union vote, officially joining Starbucks Workers United (SBWU). Workers across the country have said no toContinue reading “ISG Stands with Unionizing Starbucks Workers”
Category Archives: Labor Struggles & Solidarity
Union Power for Reproductive Justice: Rank and File Union Members Organize Campaign
by CJ White & Peggy Wang (APA, MTA/NEA – personal capacity) This article was originally published in the September issue of Socialism Today! Subscribe here. Three months ago, thousands of working people took to the streets to express their outrage at the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade. Since then, there has been littleContinue reading “Union Power for Reproductive Justice: Rank and File Union Members Organize Campaign”
Unions Gain Popularity – Corporations Panic
by Claire Bayler and Elisabeth Wichser A Gallup poll in early September recorded a 71% approval rating for unions, the highest since 1965. Large corporations previously untouched by unions are now facing organizing drives. The successful union elections at 245 Starbucks locations nationwide are one highly visible example of union success this year. Workers withContinue reading “Unions Gain Popularity – Corporations Panic”
Why ISG Supports the Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment
By Josh B. The Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment is a ballot question up for vote in the November 2022 elections. It would introduce a tax on residents of Massachusetts making more than $1 million in annual income, raising the state tax rate from 5% to 9% for every dollar earned after the first million. ThisContinue reading “Why ISG Supports the Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment”
Interview: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Graduate Workers Unionizing
Photo: Unionizing WPI graduate workers with WPI- Graduate Workers Union (WPI-GWU) out in solidarity with unionizing baristas at the Worcester Starbucks. Photo by Claire Bayler ISG interviewed Jake Scarponi, a graduate student worker at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts. Jake studies Materials Science and Engineering, and is part of the effort to formContinue reading “Interview: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Graduate Workers Unionizing”
Working Class Mobilization to Beat Back Chipotle Union Busting!
In June, workers at an Augusta, Maine Chipotle restaurant successfully filed for a union election, which if they win would make them the first unionized location in the $43 billion multinational chain. Many different companies previously unchallenged by union drives have been facing campaigns from workers, including Starbucks, Amazon, Apple, and Trader Joe’s. In theContinue reading “Working Class Mobilization to Beat Back Chipotle Union Busting!”
Union Victory for Starbucks Workers in Biddeford, Maine!
by Emery Addams, Maine Education Association (personal capacity) Earlier today, the Starbucks workers in Biddeford, Maine, joined the ranks of over 170 other recently organized Starbucks locations by winning their union vote. Workers across the country have said no to unlivable wages, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation from the bosses of a multimillion-dollar company thatContinue reading “Union Victory for Starbucks Workers in Biddeford, Maine!”
Supply Chain Crisis Deepens – Interview with a Rail Worker
by Sam Skinner Nicholas Wurst is a freight conductor in Massachusetts for CSX and is a member of SMART-TD, one of the rail unions. Previously he worked in an intermodal yard for CSX and was a member of TCU/IAM. He is a member of the Independent Socialist Group. The news is full of stories aboutContinue reading “Supply Chain Crisis Deepens – Interview with a Rail Worker”
Reform Coalition Wins High School Division in NYC Teachers Union Elections
by Danny Neuman (United Federation of Teachers, personal capacity) On May 19th, the American Arbitration Association finished tallying the results of the 2022 United Federation of Teachers (UFT) leadership election. The election occurred against the backdrop of record high job dissatisfaction among school staff, much of which is due to failures among government and administratorsContinue reading “Reform Coalition Wins High School Division in NYC Teachers Union Elections”
Maine Med Nurses Picket for Good First Contract
by M. Germon April 27 2022: Union nurses and supporters picket for first contract at Maine Med. (National Nurses United) After eight long months of negotiations, the nurses at Maine Medical Center are turning up the heat. Hundreds of people showed up in solidarity to an informational picket organized by the Maine Med nurses’ unionContinue reading “Maine Med Nurses Picket for Good First Contract”