Teamsters at Sysco strike over wages, barbaric schedules

Vol. 87/No. 15 - April 17, 2023
Over 250 members of Teamsters Local 117 in Seattle went out April 2 in solidarity with Sysco workers on strike in Louisville and Indianapolis for higher wages, livable work schedules.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nearly 300 workers, members of Teamsters Local 89 and Local 135, went on strike March 27 at Sysco here and in Indianapolis. Couple day solidarity strikes spread to California and Washington. Sysco is the largest food distributor…


Minneapolis postal workers rally for contract, no forced overtime

Vol. 87/No. 15 - April 17, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS — “We deserve to have our lives back!” chanted some 150 members of National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 9, family members and supporters outside the main post office here April 2. They’re demanding an end to forced overtime…


Steelworkers rally protests firings at Calif. Chevron refinery

Vol. 87/No. 15 - April 17, 2023

RICHMOND, Calif. — Over 60 people attended a protest organized by  United Steelworkers Local 5 at the Chevron oil refinery here March 23 titled “We are still here.” The leaflet building the action said, “Bring your family, friends and pets…


Pennsylvania chocolate factory explodes, killing seven workers

Vol. 87/No. 15 - April 17, 2023

WEST READING, Pa. — One of the buildings at the R.M. Palmer chocolate factory here exploded and burned to the ground March 24. The blast killed seven people inside the plant. At least 10 others were taken to the hospital. …


Los Angeles school workers end strike, vote on new contract

Vol. 87/No. 14 - April 10, 2023

LOS ANGELES — The day after ending a massive March 21-23 strike, Service Employees International Union Local 99 announced that a tentative settlement had been reached with the Los Angeles Unified School District. The contract will be presented to the…


Beet workers make gains in strike to stop attack by Spreckels bosses

Vol. 87/No. 14 - April 10, 2023
Striking sugar beet workers, members of United Food and Commercial Workers, picket Spreckels Sugar Company in Brawley, California, March 16. Strikers won widespread support.

BRAWLEY, Calif. —A lively picket line of some 100 workers on strike at the Spreckels Sugar Company sugar beet processing plant was met with honks of support from truckers, agricultural workers and others passing by. Workers at the warehouse in…


Hawaii hospital workers strike wins growing support

Vol. 87/No. 14 - April 10, 2023

Contract negotiations between the United Public Workers union and three hospitals in the Kaiser health system on the Hawaiian island of Maui took place March 17. The nurses’ aides, therapists, technicians, groundskeepers, housekeepers, cooks, laundry workers and other union members…


Los Angeles school workers, teachers rally for new contract

Vol. 87/No. 13 - April 3, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Thousands of public school workers held a spirited rally here March 15 outside City Hall to demand the Los Angeles Unified School District negotiate a new contract. The rally was organized by Service Employees International Union Local…


NJ sanitation workers discuss strike over wages, boss attacks

Vol. 87/No. 12 - March 27, 2023
Joanne Kuniansky, SWP candidate for New Jersey state Senate, talks with striking Camden, New Jersey, sanitation workers, from left, Bill Atkinson, Rhashik Mathes, and Moe, on Teamsters Local 115 picket line March 4. “We need workers control over our jobs,” said Kuniansky.

CAMDEN, N.J. — Joanne Kuniansky, Socialist Workers Party candidate for New Jersey state Senate, along with Chris Hoeppner, SWP candidate for mayor of Philadelphia, and this Militant  reporter, visited the sanitation workers picket line here in solidarity March 4. The…


Support grows for hospital workers on strike in Hawaii

Vol. 87/No. 12 - March 27, 2023

MAUI, Hawaii — Two weeks after nearly 500 hospital workers went on strike here against Kaiser’s three Maui Health System facilities, the bosses arrived one hour late for the first negotiating meeting since the walkout began and then broke off…