Fight Back! News

News and Views from the People's Struggle

Labor

By Kas Schwerdtfeger

Republicans, Democrats Miss the Mark on Inequality

Milwaukee, WI – As soon as President Obama's State of the Union address was over, debates around the speech's central theme of wealth inequality were distributed in carefully packaged arguments to all who would listen.

Read more...

By Kas Schwerdtfeger

Republicans, Democrats Miss the Mark on Inequality

Milwaukee, WI – As soon as President Obama's State of the Union address was over, debates around the speech's central theme of wealth inequality were distributed in carefully packaged arguments to all who would listen.

Read more...

By Cherrene Horazuk

Minneapolis, MN – The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in Harris v. Quinn, and the ruling could have a devastating impact on public sector workers and their unions.

Read more...

By Richard Berg

Joe Hill

Chicago, IL – On Jan. 10 the progressive Uri-Eichen Gallery in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood opened its doors to celebrate a true people’s artist, Joe Hill. Joe Hill was a member of the revolutionary labor union Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The IWW was known for its popular art and music which captured the imagination of millions of workers. None of the IWW members was more famous for song writing and music than Joe Hill.

Read more...

By staff

Jacksonville, FL – On Jan. 3, UPS abruptly discontinued its seasonal golf cart delivery program in Florida, after a worker filed a grievance on management for breaking state statutes. UPS management continued assigning normal golf cart delivery assignments to workers after Dec. 31, which violated state regulations on golf carts and placed its workforce at risk.

Read more...

By staff

Jacksonville, FL – Many UPS customers woke up on Christmas morning with a few packages missing under the tree. On Dec. 25, UPS management admitted that they failed to deliver many packages to expectant customers due to a surge of late holiday orders. FedEx customers reported similar delays in package delivery.

Read more...

By Dustin Ponder

Single mom India Lewis demands Burger King job back

Striking workers marching on fast food chains, demanding better wages and union

Tampa, FL – Striking workers from Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, and other fast food restaurants joined supporters for a militant march and protest in Tampa, FL. This day of action is part of the Fight For 15 campaign, a national action movement of low-wage workers against corporate giants like McDonalds, Burger King, and Taco Bell. These big fast food corporations make billions in profits by exploiting their workers. The national day of action saw thousands of workers across the country walkout over unfair labor practices, demanding an end to retaliation and harassment for organizing, as well as demanding a $15 wage, and union representation.

Read more...

By Tom Burke

Detroit, MI – In a blow to Detroit unionized public workers and their pensions, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven W. Rhodes ruled on Dec. 4, that workers’ pensions are not protected. The judge overruled the Michigan constitution, which protects pensions as contracts between government and workers. Judge Rhodes said the Detroit bankruptcy could proceed anyway. This means that city of Detroit workers will not hold a special place in the bankruptcy proceedings versus municipal bond holders, insurers and others jockeying to collect in court.

Read more...

By staff

Jacksonville picket at Walmart on Black Friday

Jacksonville, FL – By Florida standards, the 30-degree morning on Black Friday, Nov. 29 was a chilly day, but that could not stop 15 local workers from protesting at a Walmart Supercenter.

Read more...

By Kim DeFranco

Banners at St Paul Walmart protest.

St. Paul, MN – Black Friday protests are happening across the country today. Around 500 people took to the streets at the Midway Shopping Center here, Nov. 29, chanting, “Poverty wages have to go!”

Read more...

By staff

Walmart protest in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, WI – Pickets were held outside of two local Walmart stores, Nov. 29, in support of workers who walked out demanding a living wage. Dozens of union members, Walmart employees, students, and community members marched in front of Walmart on 27th Street on Milwaukee's South Side chanting, “They say rollback, we say fight back!”

Read more...

By Cassia Laham

Black Friday protest at Walmart.

North Miami Beach, FL – Around 45 people stood outside of the Walmart here with signs and banners on Black Friday to protest the company's unfair treatment of its workers. OUR Walmart and United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) organized this event as part of a nation-wide call to action against the egregious working conditions faced by Walmart employees.

Read more...

By Cecelia O’ Brien

Walmart workers walk out in Hialeah, Florida in protest.

Hialeah, FL – In coordination with other Walmart workers across the nation, fourteen Walmart workers walked out of their workplace in Hialeah, Florida on Monday, November 25, 2013. They were joined by a group of around 50 demonstrators rallying in solidarity with the workers.

Read more...

By staff

Enter a descriptive sentence about the photo here.

Washington, DC – 400 people gathered at an international summit in Washington D.C. to oppose the use of drones by the U.S. government. The summit was hosted by Code Pink and featured Medea Benjamin, activist and author of Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control. Many activists and organizers came to hear experts and share experiences in building the movement against U.S. drone warfare. Many were excited to hear academic and author Cornel West.

Read more...

By Joseph Piette

Fight Back News Service is circulating this following article from Workers World. We urge our readers to go to the Team Solidarity website at tinyurl.com/d5tntcg and lend your support to this important struggle.

Read more...

By staff

Presidents of U of M AFSCME Locals speak at AFSCME rally

Minneapolis, MN – About 300 University of Minnesota (U of M) workers and their supporters gathered on Northrup Plaza, in front of the administration building Sept. 26, to rally for accessible and affordable healthcare. U of M workers are angry about proposed cuts to their health care benefits.

Read more...

By Kas Schwerdtfeger

Milwaukee, WI – The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) have announced improvements to UPS Teamster health care “TeamCare” after a vote by the Teamster rank and file in several regions rejected a concessionary contract offered by UPS.

Read more...

By staff

Louisville, KY – Negotiations between UPS and Teamster Local 89 set to begin here on Aug. 13, opening three days of talks. The Louisville local represents 8800 workers at the UPS Worldport Central Air Hub, a major center for UPS. Of these workers, only 800 are full-time.

Read more...

By staff

Workers march against attacks on heath care plan

Minneapolis, MN – More than 100 University of Minnesota AFSCME workers came together for a spirited march and rally here, August 5. After rallying in front of Morrill Hall, the administration building, workers headed upstairs to the office of President Kahler to deliver about 1300 signed petitions demanding the university drop proposed changes to the health care plan. The administration’s proposed attack on the health care plan would have some workers pay more premiums and significantly increase out of pocket medical costs for all university employees.

Read more...

By staff

Enter a descriptive sentence about the photo here.

Saint Paul, MN – More than 240 members of Workers United Local 150 walked off the job from Health Systems Cooperative Laundries, August 5, forming picket lines at the plant entrances in a strike over unfair labor practices, which include the company’s unilateral discontinuation of sick-day benefits.

Read more...