CPUSA Labor Upfront Newsletters

Labor Upfront: Special New Year Edition � For a New Year of Progress & Struggle

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST

2008: What a Year for Labor

By Scott Marshall

Talk about a sea change. A President-Elect who actually walks on picketlines rather than busts unions. Unprecedented independent labor political action that arguably made the difference in changing the direction of our country. Stunning victories at Smithfield Foods in Tar Heel, North Carolina, at Republic Windows in Chicago, and Boeing in Seattle. New higher levels of labor unity - its been a long time since the whole labor movement has been so united on a presidential candidate. The most unifying and far-reaching discussion in labor of racism as a central block to working class and trade union unity since the 1930's. And important new steps towards a truly international labor movement.

Labor Upfront: Global Labor Needs a Global Stimulus

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

By Scott Marshall

�Workers of the World Unite� is back by popular demand. And not just by demand, but by necessity.

Global transnational corporations and their partners finance capital are working full time to craft an economic solution to the world crisis that preserves their enormous profits and power while putting the burden of recovery on working people. How could it be otherwise?

The capitalist beast has not changed its spots. But it has mutated into a much larger, globally interconnected, behemoth. Its institutions, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization are in full swing. Not to mention the infamous G8 and G20 big country summits. Of course, none of these even have seats at the table for labor.

Labor Upfront: Special Election Edition � Obama Wins! Labor Wins!

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

Obama Wins! Labor wins!
Americans reject policies of greed and union busting!

By Scott Marshall

President-elect Barack Obama.

Those words ring with meaning. For organized labor they ring with pride, hope, and energy for the struggles ahead. No one feels like �labor�s candidate won, so now we can go home and rest.� Rather, as congratulation messages pour in from all parts of the labor movement, the critical subtext is, we are ready and eager to march with you for change. At the top of labor�s change agenda is boots-on-the-ground support for the Obama agenda of a new �New Deal� for economic recovery and passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.

Organized labor played an amazing role in the election Barack Obama.

Unions played an extraordinary leadership role in winning the working class for Obama.

It�s been many years since labor was so totally united behind a presidential candidate...

Labor Upfront: Striking Machinists at Boeing ask: �How do you hide $13 billion?

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EST

By John Wojick
Peoples Weekly World

�How do you hide $13 billion? Do you stuff it in an airplane? Do you give it to the CEO? Or, do you share it with your workers?�

These questions are printed on union flyers being distributed by thousands of striking Boeing workers at locations in Washington state, Oregon and Kansas as the total shutdown of the nation's largest airplane maker entered its second day.

Labor Upfront: Labor Fight Against Racism has Impact

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

The goal of Labor UpFront is to provide members and friends with news, information, and general ways to stay connected with the on-going struggles of workers. You can also visit our blog, http://laborupfront.blogspot.com/, for further information on the stories in this newsletter and much more!

Laborupfront July 16th 2008

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

In This Newsletter:
USW: History in the Making
Action Alerts: UFW; Bad Boss is Back
Round-up of International Strikes
Working Women Survey results
DC stands with Smithfield Workers
Million Member Mobilization
Willamette Reds event
Election 2008: Trumka addresses USW convention
Union Jobs (still more needed!)

Labor Upfront June 16th 2008

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EST

In This Newsletter:
Unions Begin Big Election Effort
Action Alert: Neglected Priorities
CAW Needs Solidarity
Indian Workers Suspend Hunger Strike
Congress Hotel Strike Marks 5th Anniversary
TRADE Act introduced; Action Alert
Election 2008: Labor says "NO" to Big Oil
Union Jobs (still more needed!)

American Axle workers face big pay cuts with new contract

Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

In This Newsletter:
American Axle workers face big pay cuts
Action Alerts: Chinese workers; Working Woman Survey
Zimbabwe Labor Leaders Arrested
Indian Workers hunger strike enters second week
Clean Car Wash Campaign
Jobs with Justice Conference
Crandall Canyon Cover-up
Election 2008: McCain Revealed kicks into high gear, new endorsements
Union Jobs (still more needed!)

May Day: Finding it's Way Back Home

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 EST

I�ve always wanted a button that reads, �Workers of the world unite, back by popular demand� � almost as long as I�ve wanted one that says, �May Day, made in the USA.�

May Day 2008 would have been a great time for both.

Labor Upfront - April 21, 2008

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

In this issue:

ILWU Calls for May Day Work Stoppages Against the War
Action Alerts: FLOC, No Colombia FTA
Another important step towards global unionism
Iranian TU finally released
Loss of factory jobs=more on food stamps
Week of action unites students, workers
Unions challenge Bush �no match� plan
Join McCain Revealed team
Union Jobs (still more needed!)

Labor Upfront, Special Edition Strike Update: AMERICAN AXLE

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

Organized Labor and the Green Economy

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

In This Edition:

Labor Calls for a Green Economy
A Union at a Toyota Plant?
DC Sick Days
American Axle update
HR 676 and Labor update
AFL-CIO Launches "McCain Revealed"
News from the Labor Commission
Union Jobs (still more needed!)

Labor Upfront - Strike Alert!

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

The United Auto Workers struck American
Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday when no deal was reached on a new labor pact. The largest proportion of American Axle parts are for GM�s pickups and SUVs. Affected are more than 3,600 workers in plants in Michigan and New York.

Labor Upfront - Special Edition

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

Getting carried away with your own rhetoric is rarely a good thing. Tom Buffenbarger, president of the Machinists' union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers), did just that in a “warm-up” speech for Hillary Clinton the night of the Wisconsin primary win by Barack Obama.

Labor Upfront - Feb 18 2008

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

In this edition:

- Colombia Free Trade: Just say no to murderers
- Action Alert: �Shame on Elaine� campaign
- Striking Mexican Miners update
- MI fights misclassification
- The economic stimulus fight isn�t over yet
- Smithfield Foods Update
- Election 08 update
- Union Jobs (More Needed!)

Labor Upfront! Feb 1 2008

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST

In This Newsletter:

Economic Stimulus Plan
Action Alerts: UE, CLUW, CWA
Dangers of Columbia Free Trade
Support the Mexican Miners
LA Security Workers Victory
Portland School Workers Fight Back
Don't forget about the Congressional Races!
Union Jobs (More Needed!)