LabourStart launches Union Book and Talking Union is There

by Stuart Elliott
LabourStart  announced the launch today of UnionBook – the  social networking website for trade unionists.
Unlike other social networking sites, UnionBook is advertising-free, respects your privacy, and is specifically designed to serve trade unionists.
I’ve  taken a look at Union Book and believe it has the potential to be a [...]

NYC Forum on Republic Windows Sit-in

Join Sit-in Strikers from Republic Windows & Doors in Chicago
Saturday, January 31st 3 – 5 pm Judson Memorial Church
Judson Assembly Hall 55 Washington Sq South, New York*
In December, 260 workers at Republic Windows occupied their plant for six days–a sit-in strike launched in response to the closing of their plant with only 3 days notice. [...]

“No Justice, No Cookies”: Jan. 31 March to Support Stella D’Oro Workers

On Saturday, January 31, a rally and march  will be held  to support striking Stella D’Oro workers in New York City.  Management at the well-known cookie company is attempting to destroy their union.
The 135 workers at biscuit producer Stella D’Oro, most of whom are Latina women and immigrants from Asia and Africa, are confronting [...]

Super Bowl Halftime Sponsor Bridgestone Firestone Continues to Exploit Workers in Liberia

This Sunday, millions of sports fans around the world will watch this year’s National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl Halftime show sponsored by Bridgestone and featuring Bruce Springsteen.  Meanwhile, the halftime show’s title sponsor will continue its long history of exploitation of workers and the environment in Liberia.

The Truth About EFCA and Secret Ballot Elections

by Dmitri Iglitzin
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has promised to spend $10 million opposing the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), the proposed federal law that would allow workers to form unions based on a showing of majority support, sometimes referred to as a “card check” election. Other big bucks are being spent by faux-grassroots organizations [...]

Labour Website of the Year Contest

by Eric Lee
It’s that time of year again – time for the Labour Website of the Year competition.
This is a competition that LabourStart has run every year since 1998.
As trade union use of the Internet grows, the competition grows as well.

SEIU Announces Trusteeship over UHW

by Paul Garver
Just as I was preparing to post the following article, I received the news that SEIU had formally invoked trusteeship over UHW as of 5PM on 27 January. Rather than rewrite the draft, which attempts to analyze and comment on the response to SEIU’s ultimatum that UHW issued on 26 January, I am [...]

Academics’ Statement on SEIU-UHW Dispute

On 26 January, eight highly regarded professors of labor-related studies signed a letter to SEIU President Andy Stern and Sal Rosselli of the UHW urging both SEIU and UHW to negotiate their differences in the framework of accepting the Marshall Report. Although tragically SEIU leadership chose to invoke trusteeship over UHW soon thereafter, their statement [...]

Wisconsin conference focuses on Employee Free Choice Act

The Wisconsin School for Workers is sponsoring a March 12 conference on the Employee Free Choice Act.  The March 12th conference will be held in Madison will examine the challenges and cpportunities of this landmark proposal.

Ray Marshall Issues Report on SEIU Trusteeship of UHW

by Paul Garver
As the Hearing Officer appointed by Pres. Andy Stern to hear the case for SEIU’s trusteeship, former Labor Secretary Ray Marshall issued on 21 January a Report (download) that concluded:
There are natural differences between local and international unions, especially over matters of local union autonomy. If these differences can be resolved through democratic [...]