Labor Movement
“I Want to Thank the Staff That Held the Line”: Interview with a Chicago Teacher
Earlier this month, teachers in Chicago voted to resume remote learning rather than return to unsafe working conditions. In response, Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot locked the teachers out of their classes and threatened to stop paying them. After a few days, the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates voted to suspend the teachers’ action and called them to in person classes. We spoke to a Chicago teacher about this struggle and what it means for educators across the country.
Left Voice
January 17, 2022
The Jewish Museum in New York Joins the Fight for a Unionized Art World
The workers of this prestigious and historic institution have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a union election.
Sarah Frankie Sigman
January 12, 2022
Two Stores and Counting: Starbucks Unionization Wave Picks Up
Following the unionization of one Starbucks store in Buffalo, NY, over half a dozen stores around the U.S. have filed with the National Labor Relations Board for elections of their own.
Rose Lemlich
January 11, 2022
“I Can’t Afford Not to Work”: Workers on the Omicron Surge
Workers tell Left Voice about safety measures at their workplace
Left Voice
January 11, 2022
Buffalo Starbucks Workers Strike over Unsafe Working Conditions
Workers at the recently-unionized Starbucks store in Buffalo, New York walked off the job last week, citing concerns over safety measures and staffing shortages. Against the backdrop of a ripple of Starbucks unionization drives in stores across the country and surging coronavirus cases, the Buffalo baristas’ collective action shows a path forward for workers to return to work on their own terms.
Madeleine Freeman
January 10, 2022
Student Workers of Columbia Reach Tentative Agreement
After more than two months on strike, the Student Workers of Columbia reached a tentative agreement for their union’s first contract with Columbia University.
Olivia Wood
January 8, 2022
“We Need to Stay Strong as a Union”: Interview with a Chicago Teacher
A Chicago teacher discusses this week’s vote to move to remote learning, and the backlash from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Left Voice
January 7, 2022
The Great Resignation Continues: 4.5 Million U.S. Workers Walked Off the Job in November
Low pay, lack of childcare, and dangerous working conditions are causing millions of people to quit their jobs. While this mass resignation may give labor some leverage to fight for higher wages and better benefits, it’s also a sign of the difficult choices working people continue to face as the pandemic rages on.
James Dennis Hoff
January 7, 2022
Chicago Teachers Are Locked Out After Voting for Remote Learning, Refusing to Enter Unsafe Classrooms
Amidst a massive coronavirus surge, Chicago public school teachers voted to return to classes remotely following winter break. Instead Mayor Lightfoot and the district cancelled all classes in a clear confrontation with the city’s teachers and threatened to place all teachers who don’t return by Wednesday on “no pay” status.
Tatiana Cozzarelli
January 5, 2022
“We’re being treated unfairly and we’re doing something about it”: Amazon Workers Walk Out
On Wednesday, dozens of Amazon workers walked out at the DIL3 facility in Gage’s Park and DLN2 warehouses in Cicero in Chicago. They are demanding a wage increase and safer working conditions. The walkout took place during the Christmas rush, maximizing the impact on Amazon.
Luigi Morris
December 24, 2021