By Nicholas Wurst (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 1473) and Evren Pallares Ó Laoghaire (Teamsters Local 170) A version of this article was originally published in the May issue of Socialism Today, available now! Subscribe here. This year, there is something more to celebrate on International Workers Day, May 1st. A seriesContinue reading “International Workers Day 2022: Momentum at Amazon & Starbucks”
Category Archives: Labor Struggles & Solidarity
Education in Crisis: A Conversation Between Educators
Emery A., a union paraeducator in Saco, ME recently spoke with B, a union public school IT worker in Worcester, MA about the current work conditions in public education. Both are members of ISG. E: Many educators across the country have spoken out about severe staffing and resource shortages which have been worsened by theContinue reading “Education in Crisis: A Conversation Between Educators”
St. Vincent Nurses End Historic Strike
The longest strike in the U.S. in 2021 and the longest nurses strike in Massachusetts history ended in January 2022 when union nurses voted to ratify a new contract. 700 members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) were on strike for 10 months against Tenet Corporation, owners of St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. The courage and tenacity of the nurses in this strike needs to be publicly acknowledged and remembered. It’s crucial for working people to discuss the strike for future struggles around better healthcare and a stronger labor movement.
Solidarity with the Clark University Graduate Worker Union Drive!
Clark University Independent Socialist Group (ISG) and Worcester ISG stand in solidarity with ClarkU Graduate Workers United-Teamsters (ClarkU GWU-T) in their push towards union recognition. With working people bearing the brunt of the current health and economic crisis, it is more important than ever to organize against exploitation and for labor rights. Clark University onlyContinue reading “Solidarity with the Clark University Graduate Worker Union Drive!”
No Pay Cuts During the Pandemic – Reinstate Hazard Pay!
On January 3rd, Portland City Council betrayed the front-line workers of the city who have kept Portland running during the COVID pandemic. City Council voted to repeal the COVID state of emergency, put in place earlier in the pandemic, which allowed for mandatory hazard pay for workers. In the same breath, they voted to reinstateContinue reading “No Pay Cuts During the Pandemic – Reinstate Hazard Pay!”
ISG In Action: Solidarity with the Nurses
by Jay Verchin ISG members in Worcester, MA, have supported the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) throughout the 10-month long strike against Tenet Healthcare, the corporation that owns St. Vincent Hospital. It was the longest nurses’ strike in state history. On March 8th, 2021, 800 nurses with the MNA walked out of the hospital. The nursesContinue reading “ISG In Action: Solidarity with the Nurses”
After Teamsters Elections, Rank-and-File Must Continue to Organize for Change
by Evren Pallares Ó Laoghaire, Teamsters Local 170 (personal capacity) This article was originally published in Socialism Today, the paper of the Independent Socialist Group. Subscribe to the paper to receive each issue in print and read the articles before they’re published online! This past November Teamsters Union members voted in new national leadership afterContinue reading “After Teamsters Elections, Rank-and-File Must Continue to Organize for Change”
Unions Fighting Back and the Need for Socialism
by Jeff Booth, AFSCME Local 3650 (personal capacity) This article was originally published in Socialism Today, the paper of the Independent Socialist Group. Subscribe to the paper to receive each issue in print and read the articles before they’re published online! Union workers in 2021 were in at least 346 strikes across most sectors ofContinue reading “Unions Fighting Back and the Need for Socialism”
St. Vincent Strike Ends in Victory! ISG Speaks at MNA Press Conference
On January 3rd, the St. Vincent nurses voted 487 to 9 to ratify their new agreement with Tenet. This brought an end to the just over 300-day strike, the longest nurses’ strike in state history. Worcester ISG has been working in solidarity with the nurses since pre-strike picketing, and we were invited to address theContinue reading “St. Vincent Strike Ends in Victory! ISG Speaks at MNA Press Conference”
Tentative Agreement in MNA strike at St. Vincent Hospital: Longest Nurses Strike in Massachusetts History
Photo: Solidarity photo of ISG members at a December meeting On Friday St. Vincent Hospital announced a tentative agreement for 800 nurses organized within the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) to return to work. The Independent Socialist Group congratulates the nurses who have struck for 9 months to defend and improve their working conditions and theirContinue reading “Tentative Agreement in MNA strike at St. Vincent Hospital: Longest Nurses Strike in Massachusetts History”
Independent Socialist Group 