GE asks workers for concessions after paying ZERO taxes

by Mike Elk Last week, the New York Times reported that, despite making $14.2 billion in profits, General Electric, the largest corporation in the United States, paid zero U.S. taxes in 2010 and actually received tax credits of $3.2 billion dollars. The article noted that GE’s tax avoidance team is comprised of “former officials not [...]

Education Reform: What Role for Teacher Unions?

As new trends in education reform, supported by billionaire philanthropies, sweep the nation, what does the future look like for teacher unions? Please join Dissent magazine’s editorial board this Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. at Judson Memorial Church in downtown Manhattan to discuss education reform and the role of teacher unions. Our discussion will [...]

National Teach-In on Debt, Austerity and Corporate Greed

DSA Honorary Chairs Cornel West and Frances Fox Piven are organizing a National Teach-In on Debt, Austerity and Corporate Greed (and what YOU can do about it). More than one hundred campuses have signed up to participate in the teach in. Scheduled for April 5th at 2 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Savings Time), the event seeks [...]

Egypt: Independent Unions Protest Anti-Strike Law

by Paul Garver The Egyptian cabinet has issued a draft law that would criminalize strikes, protests and sit-ins by imposing prison sentences and fines on anyone who calls for such actions. Ths draft law has already been approved by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces oppose strikes because they operate many [...]

End Human Rights Abuses in Tobacco Fields

While concern about tobacco use is often in the news, concern about tobacco farmworkers is not.  Yet sub-minimum wages, corrupt labor contractors, decrepit housing , and serious health risks, including that of death by heat stroke, are common for tobacco farm workers in North Carolina and the South. This is a tragedy and moral disgrace [...]

Nominate a Video for LabourStart’s Video of the Year Contest

by Stuart Elliott Videos, the new leaflet? On-line videos are becoming a popular tool for worker mobilization and education. If you have produced one or enjoyed a union video that deserves wider attention, nominate it for the LabourStart video of the year contest. For the second year in a row,LabourStart, the global online labor news [...]

Why Stephen Lerner’s Bold Bank Campaign Idea Is Necessary

by Mike Elk Last week, Glenn Beck obtained the audio recording of a speech by  Stephen Lerner, who directed SEIU’s Justice for Janitors and Financial Reform campaigns, calling for a new campaign against the major banks through direct action, sit-ins, boycotts and strategic mortgage defaults. Lerner called for efforts that could lead to strategic mass [...]

The legacy of Cesar Chavez and the budget crises of today

By  Duane E. Campbell On March 31, 2011, California and ten  other states will celebrate the life and work of labor organizer Cesar Chavez.  State workers will have the day off.  Ironically, however, farm workers will not.  It is interesting that these states take a day off to recognize the contributions of a labor leader [...]

The Truth Behind the Public Pensions Funding Gap

by Jack Rasmus State governors across the nation, led by newly elected right wing Republicans (with several Democratic governors in tow), are whipping up anti-union sentiment by declaring public workers and their unions are the cause of state budget deficits.  They argue that various labor costs are driving up their deficits, but the lead cause [...]

Unions Save Lives: More Lessons From the Triangle Fire

by Jake Blumgart The Triangle factory fire, which took place 100 years ago today, was the result of industry’s reactionary attitude toward regulation, fueled by their own negligence and avarice. (As I explained earlier this week.)  But there was another reason for the fire: Triangle workers did not have a voice at their workplace. Triangle [...]