Empowered Workers Are Making Unionizing ‘Cool & Sexy’
By Joe Maniscalco
With no shortage of expert analysis aimed at understanding the resurgence of union organizing across the country, the dancers at the only unionized strip club in the United States probably have the best: union organizing is on the rise because it has once again become “cool” and “sexy.”
The Head of Vermont’s AFL-CIO Wants to Democratize Your Union
By Joe Maniscalco
Vermont AFL-CIO leader David Van Deusen is sitting outside a tavern in Montpelier about to grab a beer when he starts talking about how important independent journalism is to the American Labor Movement.
Taking On the Boss? A Lifelong ‘Troublemaker’ Has Some Advice
By Joe Maniscalco
Frank Emspak has been making trouble for powerful elites his whole life. Sometimes as a pugnacious member of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers [UE], other times as executive producer of Workers Independent News (WINS). Now approaching 80, Frank Emspak is still mixing it up and making trouble — and he’s urging today’s generation of workers to do the same.
Delays and Loopholes: How US Labor Law is Failing Workers
By Steve Wishnia
U.S. labor law is supposed to protect workers’ right to organize — but employers regularly evade it by exploiting the slow-moving system and its weak or nonexistent penalties for violations, leading labor lawyers say.
Why Hardly Anyone Wants to Be a Bus Operator Anymore
By Joe Maniscalco
Sacha Alvarez was barely six months into her new job driving the BX40 bus route in The Bronx for MTA New York City Transit when a crazed man swinging a foot-long tree branch burst onto her vehicle and started clubbing her on the head. The February attack understandably left her dubious about her future behind the wheel — but she’s not alone. Cities across the country are discovering hardly anyone wants to drive a bus anymore.
Amazon’s Business Model: Bury U.S. Labor History
By Joe Maniscalco
Amazon, in its quest to stamp out the smoldering sparks of unionization first ignited at its JFK8 fulfillment center in Staten Island, N.Y., earlier this year, is attempting to roll up the entire history of the American labor movement—the weekend, the eight-hour day, livable wages, safety standards, job protections, pensions—and incinerate it.
Stuck Nation Radio: A Million Municipal Workers’ Healthcare Under Attack; Plus Rev. Barber’s Call to Action
By Bob Hennelly
On this episode of Stuck Nation Radio we spotlight New Jersey public workers facing a major healthcare premium spike; the cloudy future for New York City civil service retirees healthcare; and a call to action from Rev. Dr. William Barber.