Portside

Seattle teachers went on strike for a week this month with a list of goals for a new contract. By the time the strike officially ended this week, teachers had won some of the usual stuff of contract negotiations — for example, the first cost-of-living raises in six years — but also less standard objectives.

Autoworker expectations for the 2015 UAW/Big Three contracts were to end the lower-tier wage that the union agreed first agreed to in 2007, at the time of the economic crisis. Over the last decade the higher-tier workers lost four dollars an hour to inflation and have been looking for a raise, and perhaps a restoration of the Cost-of-Living-Adjustment (COLA) that had been suspended.

Walking with eyes wide open into the ranks of labor is a necessity. An informed approach is critical. Learning about the history, the limitations and the possibilities of a revitalized labor—or labour—movement becomes part of the tool kit for workers crafting novel approaches to challenge their working conditions. Knowledge is a form of power.

The UAW and Fiat Chrysler reached a tentative agreement Tuesday night that puts more money in workers' pockets and invests $5.3 billion to update plants. The investment is part of the automaker's five-year product plan and involves shifting the geography of where many Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Fiat vehicles are made.

A new book, "Gender and Leadership in Unions," offers historical and comparative insights on gender, political consciousness, intersectionality and the future of the labor movement. The book is based on a collaborative research project of scholars and union members in both countries.

From McCleary to charters to a new contract, it’s all looking up for organized teachers.

"Right-to-work" is coming to the public sector. The key to survival is social movement unionism.

In order to sustain the tremendous humanitarian solidarity the public has shown recently towards refugees we need to connect it with solidarity in the workplace, and union campaigns to establish a floor level of rights and decent jobs for everyone.

The New Hampshire chapter of the National Education Association has endorsed Hillary Clinton. It is the largest public sector union in the State. She also received the endorsement of the 360,000 member United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry.

"The Seattle Education Association has reached a tentative contract agreement with the Seattle School Board, but the strike will continue until the SEA board and representative assembly review the agreement later today and decide whether to recommend approval to the SEA membership or continue striking.