Category: Unions

Labor, Unions, WisconsinLeave a comment

The Princess and the Pea

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By Frank Emspak For those not familiar, the Princess and the Pea is a fable where a princess can’t sleep because of a pea under her mattress. Although it’s technically about someone finding true love because of their weird sleeping habits, it can also be interpreted as being about the fragile egos and impossible desires of the mega-rich. My takeaway from this fable is that a little annoyance can go a long way. The tactic of using a small annoyance to build a popular campaign is part of a strategy to rebuild our unions. This tactic should contribute to building political support … Continue reading The Princess and the Pea

Economy, Labor, UnionsLeave a comment

Starbucks: The long haul from recognition to a national contract

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Frank Emspak argues that Starbucks workers can win a union and a contract at Starbucks if the labor movement acts like a labor movement. Update from State Street Starbucks Our union sympathetic manager has quit because he “can no longer ethically work for this company”. Our new store manager has been selected and is a universally disliked leader who is known for firing union organizers. We have also learned that our district manager expects our store specifically, though not others, to follow a scheduling system made by an AI. Because of this, in the school year when we typically have about … Continue reading Starbucks: The long haul from recognition to a national contract

Labor, Organizing, Racism, UnionsLeave a comment

“We Brought Our Fighting Spirit From the South” – An interview with Angaza Laughinghouse, UE 150

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In advance of a Madison DSA event, Building the Union Without Permission, Monday February 1st at 6:30pm, Frank Emspak spoke with Angaza Laughinghouse, member of North Carolina Public Services Union and veteran of black liberation, anti-imperialist, and workers’ rights struggles. … Continue reading “We Brought Our Fighting Spirit From the South” – An interview with Angaza Laughinghouse, UE 150

COVID-19, Education, Labor, Unions1 Comment

The Union Difference: How Their Power and Influence Affects Everyone’s Safety

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The difference is clear: the Madison School Board has a relationship of respect with the union, Madison Teachers Inc. and those it represents. The University of Wisconsin disdains those who work at the University and disrespects their organizations. The anti-union bias of the University places all of us in jeopardy. Continue reading The Union Difference: How Their Power and Influence Affects Everyone’s Safety