TAKING PRIDE IN SEIU

by Paul Garver
For months now I have been arguing that only catastrophe can come if national SEIU tries to impose a trusteeship on United Healthcare Workers – West (UHW-W). Now I think that I may have exaggerated the gloom and doom.
I was beginning to question whether the fifteen years of my life spent trying [...]

Wal-Mart Wins Round Three Against Chinese Union Federation

by Paul Garver
On 29 September from 7:00 to 8:30 PM the International Labor Rights Forum and the National Labor College co-hosted a discussion about Wal-Mart workers unions in China at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md. Announcement and Details . Both speakers Anita Chan and Jeff Fiedler know a great deal [...]

Steve Early on the UHW-W Trusteeship Hearings

This article by Steve Early describes an attempt by national SEIU to impose sanctions on Local 509 in Massachusetts in retaliation for opposition led by its local president John Templeton at SEIU’s 2004 Convention. Templeton’s opposition centered around tightening restrictions on SEIU’s imposing trusteeships on local unions. In 2005 SEIU held “jurisdictional hearings” [...]

Capitalists on Steroids, Labor on Tranquilizers

By Carl Finamore

Never before has the half-century decline of American labor revealed itself more clearly than in the last several weeks.
Largely relegated to the sidelines, national union officials are making little effort to interject independent working-class solutions into the current debate of how to resolve the enormous social crisis affecting millions.
“Free market” apologists dominate discussion [...]

Photos, Reports, and Video of the NY Protest against the bailout

From all accounts, the recent Wall Street protest against the Bush-Paulson bailout plan was very inspiring.  Some activists in the Young Democratic Socialists (DSA’s youth section) sent us some photos.
We also want to share some accounts of the demonstration from both the labor and mainstream media which have come to our attention.

Oct. 9 Sacramento Progressive Forum Features Fletcher, Bacon

Forrest Suite, University Union, CSU – Sacramento  Oct. 9, 2008, 9 am – 3:30 pm.
Free.
Join DSA and our allies for a dialogue on current issues facing the progressive movements and their allies in our region. The Progressive Forum seeks to bring together scholars, students, social justice and union activists, and policy makers to nurture a [...]

Wall Street Bail Out Plan Must Be Fixed

Frank Llewellyn
DSA National Director
Bailout Plan Values Wall Street Corporations and Sovereign Wealth Funds Ahead of Working and Middle Class Americans
This week the federal government is contemplating what would be the largest bailout of the financial sector—banks and debt holders in particular—ever attempted.  We are given only a price tag, $700 billion or perhaps [...]

NYC CLC Calls for Sept 25 Rally Against Wall Street Blank Check

Join the NYC Central Labor Council
EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION
Thursday, September 25, 2008 12 Noon
Broad and Exchange Place
The New York City Central Labor Council urges Congress and members of the New York City Congressional delegation to act quickly and responsibly and hold those who caused our national financial crisis accountable.
Protect Main Street and not Wall Street.
More [...]

If SEIU Puts UHW-W under Trusteeship, Who will Serve?

by Paul Garver
Even if there were any justification for SEIU to impose a trusteeship on UHW-W, the grounds for which appear non-existent or shaky at best, it could not come at a worse time. To launch an all-out internal war within one of the largest and most politically involved American unions at the height [...]

Latino Voters Key to Obama Win in Battleground States

Jose La Luz Organizing for Change and Obama
The Nov. 4th presidential election is frighteningly close and labor and Latino votes are critical to a win, particularly in some Southwestern swing states. It appears that the election will be decided in fewer than 12 battleground states.
Jose La Luz is a leader in Latinos for Obama and [...]