Calif. mental health workers: ‘We fight for our patients’

Vol. 86/No. 33 - September 12, 2022

OAKLAND, Calif. — More than 2,000 mental health care workers, including therapists, psychologists and social workers, went on strike Aug. 15 at the HMO giant Kaiser Permanente in northern California. The key issue is inadequate staffing. A California law that…


After nine-day strike Maryland transit workers win wage raise

Vol. 86/No. 33 - September 12, 2022

FORESTVILLE, Md. — After nine days on the picket line, striking Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 MetroAccess workers voted 91% to approve a new three-year agreement with Transdev Aug. 11. Transdev is one of four contractors that Washington Metropolitan Area…


‘No contract, no crunch!’ say strikers at Corn Nuts factory

Vol. 86/No. 32 - September 5, 2022

FRESNO, Calif. — “No contract, no crunch!” is a slogan of the 40 workers, the entire production unit, who went on strike at the Corn Nuts plant here Aug. 15. They explain the company refuses to seriously negotiate with them…


Case workers fight over wages, schedules, health care

Vol. 86/No. 32 - September 5, 2022

STURTEVANT, Wis. — The 600 members of United Auto Workers Local 180 here, and 430 in UAW Local 807 in Burlington, Iowa, remain strong in their strike against Case New Holland. The strike began May 2. Case New Holland is…


Strikes by UK rail workers spread to other industries

Vol. 86/No. 32 - September 5, 2022
Aug. 20 Manchester rally during strike by 40,000 members of Rail, Maritime and Transport union for a pay raise, better schedules. Rail strikes were one of many union actions across UK.

MANCHESTER, England — Union actions across the U.K. demanding pay raises are drawing in tens of thousands as anger mounts about the hit workers are facing from inflation. After two days of strike actions Aug. 18 and 20, members of…


Sequoia hospital workers forge unity, make gains in strike

Vol. 86/No. 31 - August 22, 2022

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — After almost two weeks on the picket line, 300 striking workers at Sequoia Hospital here are back at work after pushing back an insulting contract offer from Dignity Health bosses. Strikers included nurses’ assistants, surgical technicians,…


Santa Monica nurses picket, demand safe staffing

Vol. 86/No. 31 - August 22, 2022

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Over 60 nurses and supporters held an informational picket outside Providence Saint John’s Health Center here Aug. 1. The registered nurses, members of the California Nurses Association, are in contract negotiations with hospital bosses. The nurses’…


Bakery Workers union in Iowa strikes Ingredion over health care

Vol. 86/No. 31 - August 22, 2022
Striking BCTGM Local 100G members at Ingredion in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, picket plant Aug. 5, prepare to lead march against boss moves to cut jobs, health care, overtime pay after 8 hours.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Some 200 members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Local 100G and supporters picketed and rallied here Aug. 5, the fifth day of their strike against Ingredion bosses. “The company’s offer increases workers’ health…


Locked-out in Quebec, aircraft workers rally against Rolls-Royce

Vol. 86/No. 31 - August 22, 2022

MONTREAL — Two hundred Rolls-Royce Canada workers, who repair and overhaul aircraft engines, and their supporters marched and rallied at Quebec Premier Francois Legault’s office here Aug. 3 to protest the Quebec government giving millions of dollars in handouts to…


Rail workers strike in U.K. for pay raise, against job cuts

Vol. 86/No. 30 - August 15, 2022

MANCHESTER, England — Tens of thousands of rail and telecommunication workers struck across the U.K. at the end of July, refusing to accept below inflation pay and attacks on their conditions. Retail inflation here is running at 11%, a 40-year…