Farmworker strike led to formation of the United Farm Workers union

Milwaukee, WI – Sept. 8, 2015 will mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the grape strike in Delano, California. On that day in 1965 the farmworkers in the Delano area went on strike to demand a raise to $1.25 per hour (the minimum wage at the time, which did not apply to farmworkers), an improvement in working conditions and for union recognition.

Minneapolis, MN – Upwards of 250 members of Teamster Local 320 and their supporters joined a spirited informational picket line, August 31 to “Turn up the heat” on the U of M administration, pushing their demands for a real raise and respect. The six-hour long picket took place on the Super Block, a huge complex of student dormitories. It coincided with move-in day.

Saint Paul, MN – Thirty people gathered outside O’Gara’s Bar to picket against Wisconsin governor and Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker. Walker was speaking at a fundraiser for the right-wing pro-corporate Minnesota Jobs Coalition.

Fridley, MN – On July 14, 345 Hospital Workers at Unity Hospital in Fridley, a first ring suburb of Minneapolis, voted by a roughly 60% majority to join SEIU Healthcare MN. The new bargaining unit includes Nursing Assistants, Dietary Aides, Patient Care Techs, Health Unit Coordinators, Environmental Services Aides and other job classes.

Chicago, IL -They started filing into work between 7:00 and 8:30 in the morning. After years of schooling they landed a job with the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). The job can be mentally draining. Conditions are bad. Today the temperature is supposed approach 90 degrees. The air conditioning hasn’t worked for more than two years. Bed bugs have again been reported as being in the building. The bathrooms are unsanitary and the drinking water has both color and odor.

Chicago, IL – Empezaron a llegar al trabajo entre las 7:00 y las 8:30 de la mañana. Después de estudiar por años, lograron conseguir un trabajo con el Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Illinois (DHS). El trabajo da cansancio mental. Las condiciones son malas. Hoy la temperatura podría alcanzar los 90 grados. El aire acondicionado no ha funcionado por más de dos años. Una vez más hay reportes de chinches en el edificio. Los baños son asquerosos y el agua del chorro tiene mal color y olor.

Washington, DC – In the Philippines, there is a mounting crisis of human rights abuses against indigenous people, labor and community activists at the hands of the armed forces. Victims demand justice and there are even calls for President Benigno Aquino to resign. But mainly the demand is for an end to impunity for the killers and torturers, because over and over they go unpunished.

Minneapolis, MN – About 200 people gathered in the Warehouse District here, July 18, to install a plaque commemorating the 1934 Teamsters strike. The epic strike was one of the pivotal events of the 1930s that ushered in a huge upsurge in the labor movement.

Milwaukee, WI – Governor Scott Walker is making his announcement to run for presidency today, July 13, in Waukesha, which is located just west of Milwaukee. Walker, a Republican, has voted against driver's licenses for undocumented people; he took away tuition equity in 2011 which allowed undocumented students to pay the same price tuition as citizen students, and he also signed to a legal challenge with 25 other governors against DAPA (Deferred Action for Parent Arrivals).

Teamster workers demand UPS withdraw from ALEC

Jacksonville, FL – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is targeting United Parcel Service (UPS) for their leadership role in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a corporate policy organization that drafts and pushes anti-worker legislation in state governments.

Milwaukee, WI – Around 150 members and supporters of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, the union of Milwaukee's bus drivers, protested outside Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's $2.1 million downtown condominium, July 3. The protest was initiated by the United Workers Organization, a group of young rank-and-file union activists that was formed during the fight against ‘right to work’ earlier this year.

Milwaukee, WI – On the second day of a work stoppage called by the Amalgamated Transit Union 998, hundreds ended a day of picketing, July 2, with a rally at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The large demonstration included solidarity speeches from the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, Fight for 15, Transit Riders Union, the United Workers Organization, County Supervisors, and others.

Milwaukee County bus drivers and mechanics are boldly fighting back against the Milwaukee County Transit System and County Executive Chris Abele’s attempt to push a concessionary contract, in this era of devastating employer offenses on work conditions, benefits and collective bargaining rights.

Milwaukee, WI -The first day of the work stoppage called by Amalgamated Transit Union 998 ended with a lively picket of hundreds, July 1.

Milwaukee, WI – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 998 started a 72-hour work stoppage this morning, July 1, at 3:00 a.m. It will go through 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, July 4. The work stoppage comes during the middle of Summerfest, billed as the largest annual music festival in the world. An average of 800,000 to 1 million people attend over 11 days, with an estimated 15 to 20% of festival-goers taking public transportation.

Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Country bus drivers, members of Amalgamated Transit Union 998, voted overwhelmingly to reject their contract and strike, June 29.

Minneapolis, MN – The Supreme Court agreed today, June 30, to hear Friederichs vs. California Teachers Association, which aims to gut public sector unions and would make the public sector ‘right to work’ nationwide. The court will determine whether public sector unions can continue to collect so-called ‘fair share’ or ‘agency fees’ from non-members who benefit from the collective bargaining agreement negotiated by unions, and could overturn the landmark case Abood vs. Detroit Board of Education.

Milwaukee, WI – More than 50 youth, teachers and community members gathered outside the Hefner Conference Center, June 25, to let County Executive Chris Abele know that Milwaukee does not support his attacks against our working class-communities. Abele was participating in a $20 a head 'public' luncheon at the extravagant UWM-owned mansion to answer questions about the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) takeover, the proposed arena deal, and his current dispute with the Milwaukee County transit union.

Fight Back! News Service is circulating the following call of the All Workers Militant Front (PAME), a fighting organization of Greek workers, for mass protests June 23. DEMONSTRATION OF PAME JUNE 23 ALL TO THE STREETS

Minneapolis, MN – University of Minnesota campus union workers, holding signs demanding “raises and respect“ held a press conference regarding the U of M proposed budget before testifying at the board of regents public budget hearing.