Labor Movement
“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, 2022Buffalo 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, 2022Student 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, 2022The 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, 2022Chicago 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, 2021Striking Latina Cake Factory Workers in L.A. Area Reject Latest Contract Proposal
After 46 days on strike, workers at a cake factory in Los Angeles have rejected the latest contract proposal from the bosses. These cake makers are among many striking workers across the United States fighting against hyper-exploitative bosses.
Emma Lee
December 18, 2021Columbia University’s Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies Department Refuses To Hire Scabs
Columbia University’s Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies has issued a statement refusing to hire scabs for the spring semester. All departments should follow its lead, stand in solidarity with student workers, and defy the university’s orders to break their strike.
Tatiana Cozzarelli
December 18, 2021Bosses Don’t Keep Us Safe — We Need Workers’ Safety Committees
During the deadly tornadoes last weekend, workers were not allowed to leave. Incredibly, this is completely legal. Laws and safety protocols protect businesses, not workers. We need workers’ committees to manage safety on the job.
Adnan Ahmed
December 17, 2021