Freedom Socialist • Vol. 29, No. 1 • February-March 2008

LABOR WEATHER REPORT

A glance at how some workers and their unions are faring in the class struggle.

November 2007: United Parcel Service
Teamsters negotiate a 5-year contract that gives up most gains from the historic '97 UPS strike. Deal ends conversion of part-time to full-time jobs, freezes part-timers' starting pay at $8.50 and delays their benefits a year or more.


December 2007: Long Island City, NY
Grocery delivery firm calls in immigration inspectors to examine employment forms. An obvious attempt to intimidate immigrant workers just two weeks before a union representation vote at the 900-person warehouse.



December 2007: Athens, Greece
200,000 march in the capital as part of a nationwide general strike to stop IMF-inspired attacks on the country's pension system. Strike successfully shuts down public transport, government offices, schools and airports.



In progress: U.S. railroad industry
Activists in various unions form Railroad Workers United, a caucus dedicated to rank-and-file democracy, cross-union solidarity, and coordinated action. Workers refuse to be divided, to dismay of bickering bureaucrats.