Category Archives: History of Labor

Chronology of labor history

Disaster at Non-Union Mine

These interviews about the recent tragic disaster at the Massey coal mine in West Virginia point out the importance of the right of the workers’ to file grievances to their own safety.  The workers at this non-union mine did not have that right.  Here is the story on Democracy Now.
Comments Off | By Suzanne | April 13th, 2010

Labor Leader Plans Resignation

Andy Stern, president of the SEIU, plans to step down soon.  Here is the Times story, and that from the Wall Street Journal.
Comments Off | By Suzanne | April 13th, 2010

Cash Poor Cities Seek Concessions from Unions

Budget gaps are propelling cities to try to reopen the contracts of unionized public workers to cut benefits and pensions.  The tone of the article (and granted it’s in the Wall Street Journal) is that union workers are privileged and have no right to their “luxurious” lifestyle, good health benefits, or secure retirement.  Too bad [...]
Comments Off | By Suzanne | April 1st, 2010

Adorno on Community

A brilliant observation by Theodor Adorno, German social critic, specifically on folk music, but also an important reminder that we must always think realistically and critically about the relationships and dynamics that structure the social order (brought to my attention by Ric Brown, UFCT grievance team member). “There is, above all, the display of an [...]
Comments Off | By Suzanne | March 9th, 2010

Huge Nationwide Protests to Support Public Higher Ed

Huge protests took place across the nation yesterday, including in New York State, with barely any coverage in the mainstream media. Here is a link to Democracy Now’s coverage.
Comments Off | By Suzanne | March 6th, 2010