Portside

The Covid-19 pandemic undercut feelings of job security at cultural institutions. Now there’s an uptick in efforts to organize.

A key government official declared that players are actually employees, but the league is still avoiding worker protections – just like gig economy companies around the nation.

Amazon tripled its profits during the pandemic while its workers experienced sickness and stress. Workers at the company are fighting back by launching a unionization drive that could reshape Canada’s labor movement.

In the auto industry, where most UAW members work, many are frustrated with years of concessionary contracts that have allowed automakers to build a two-tier workforce, with the number of temporary and lower-paid workers ballooning.

From healthcare to Hollywood, workers are demanding higher wages, fighting cuts and seeking better safety and conditions.

The ILA will not work a container ship without a crew aboard. Already one company developing these automated ships also plans for automated loading and unloading of cargo from these crew-less ships without workers.

These books raise questions and arguments about job satisfaction, inadequate compensation, long hours, and morally injurious employment in pre-pandemic form.

Four-day workweek pilots are emerging across the globe, with some companies now shifting from the pilot phase to implementing the policy permanently. Beyond the U.S., political leaders are voicing support for the concept.

This is the first in a three part series examining the history of the use of paid officers and staff in labor unions. This installment looks at the origins of the practice in the 18th & 19th centuries. Links to parts 2 and 3 at end of article.

Working people can be won to support radical action on climate change — so long as decarbonization is tied to a vision of shared prosperity for all.