We Rise Fighting - Labor Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ric Urrutia
- Iran MOU
- UNITE HERE Local 17 Members One-Day Strike
- Cargill Meatpacking plant lockout in Fort Morgan, CO
- Minnesota AFL-CIO Stands with Minnesotans Facing Federal Charges
- UAW members vote to build strike fund
- Nurses at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, WI Win Union Vote
- Long Island Rail Road Workers end their strike
- June 30, 2026 Webinar: Cuba’s Queer Rights Revolution!
- Nurses at Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Hold 1-Day Strike to Protest Firings, ‘Retaliation’ for Union Organizing
- UAW to divest from Israeli bonds
- Nurses at St. Mary’s in Madison, WI Vote Union
- Cuba Under Siege, Fights Back With Worldwide Support
- Free Salah Sarsour!
- Interview with Laura Bielefeldt of Burlington Coalition to Dismantle Racism
The 3,800 workers at the JBS Swift meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado are on strike for better wages, health care, and working conditions. They are members of the United Food & Commercial (UFCW) Workers Local 7. Ric attended the picket line today and is reporting back. He also shares his observations and experiences from being a union rep for the UFCW at that very plant 16 years ago.
Bryan also shares info on upcoming events in Wisconsin where Ric will lead a research presentation on ICE and data centers. All that and tidbits of international news coverage.
Interview with Olivia Najera-Garcia, organizer with the Union of Southern Service Workers in North Carolina.
WI Bailout the People is celebrating its 15 anniversary. This episode covers some of the organization's upcoming events.
Bryan reports back from Fond du Lac on the Worker & Community Assembly event that took place on January 31st, 2026.
Bryan and Russell report back on their experiences and observations at the Minneapolis protests and general strike.
- Resistance against ICE in Minneapolis
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event in Detroit
- Upcoming Fond du Lac, WI labor/community event on January, 31, 2026
- Updates on Venezuela, Cuba, and Palestine
- NYC Nurses Strike
- Kaiser workers strike on the West Coast
- Starbucks workers update
Interview with:
-Joanna Frasch, Vice President of AFSCME Local 1
-Joanna Weir of Starbucks Workers United
-Luis Velásquez, organizing director from Voces de la Frontera.
(00:00:00) E125: Starbucks Workers on Strike! Interview w/ Joanna Weir
(00:00:27) Reflections after 125 episode
(00:03:33) Why are Starbucks workers on strike?
(00:04:36) Exactly what does a Starbucks worker do?
(00:06:42) What are the issues at work? Why are workers on strike and organizing?
(00:08:39) Community support
(00:09:35) Where is bargaining at?
(00:11:33) What can the community do to support?
(00:12:55) How can people contribute to the strike fund?
(00:13:25) Where are the strikes happening?
(00:14:18) Do you have a background with unions?
(00:15:10) How has the strike changed your consciousness?
(00:18:01) Is there a grander vision?
(00:19:10) Message to fellow workers and the community...
Red Cup Rebellion!!! Starbucks workers have been on strike since Nov. 13th! In this episode we interview Starbucks worker Joanna Weir to learn what's happening on the ground, why workers are on strike, and where this is all going...
- Zohran Mamdani elected mayor of New York City
- Update on UAW Local 95 strike in Janesville, WI
- Starbucks Workers Vote for Strike Authorization
- Palestine / Somerville recolution
- SNAP and health care benefits
- Venezuela
An interview with members of the organization Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement.
This is a basic overview of what the organization is about, its history, origin, activities, and political orientations/principles,
News updates on:
* Palestine
* Venezuela
* No Kings protests
* UAW Local 95 strike
* UNITE HERE in Madison, WI,
* Italian general strike
* The strike of Kaiser Permanente workers on the west coast.
- Tribute to Assata Shakur
- Increased barbarism of Trump administration
- Call for US National Strike on May 1 2026
- Italian general strike in solidarity with Palestine
- Hyundai workers in the US South
- Elon Musk (the goofinerss of being a trillionaire)
- Venezuela
- Hotel workers strike in Texas
- UAW 95 strike
- WW Dairy Workers strike
- Wisconsin Voces de la Frontera
- Chicago protests
- New Orleans statement
- Labor Day protests
(00:00:00) E119: Interview w/ Pathfinders Workers
(00:00:27) UAW Local 95 Announcement
(00:01:55) Introduction
(00:05:35) What lead you to organize?
(00:07:53) Response from management
(00:09:36) Workplace conditions and effects on clients
(00:10:40) Relationship with community
(00:12:01) Follow on instagram
(00:12:08) Rally on Aug 4
(00:13:23) Inspiration to unionize
(00:15:35) Why OPEIU?
(00:16:20) How many workers total?
(00:17:58) How many locations?
(00:18:17) Safe staffing saves lives
(00:19:48) Pay scale
(00:21:55) Who are the funders?
(00:22:40) What stage of the campaign are you in?
(00:23:19) What kind of help do you need?
(00:23:55) What is your work like?
(00:27:08) Message to the community
Pathfinders is a non-profit organization based out of Milwaukee that serves the needs of people in crisis. The staff has been organizing with OPEIU. In this episode we interview Rachel, Megan, and Michael, to learn more about what's going on.
- AFGE & Veterans Affairs
- Sanitation Workers Strike Against Republic Services
- Pathfinder Workers
- Boeing Workers Strike of 3,200
- UAW Local 95 Strike
- Long Island Rail Road Workers Consider Strike
- Actions Against ICE
- Resolution for Arms Embargo Against the Occupying Entity known as "Israel"
UAW Local 95 is on strike against Mercy East Clinic in Janesville, WI. In this interview UAW Local 95 Chairperson, Enrique Casiano, to learn about what's going on.
Here is a link to donate to the strike fund:
https://www.facebook.com/UawLocal95
-Update on UAW Locals 291 and 95 strikes in Wisconsin
-Sanitation worker strikes in Boston, Philadelphia, Ohio, and California
-Why is organized labor so quiet in the face of Trump austerity bill (aka the 'big beautiful bill')
(00:00:00) E115: What Direction for Today's Mass Rallies?
(00:00:27) Intro to Episode
(00:01:40) "Guillotine"
(00:04:40) Ric offers context and kicks off discussion
(00:13:02) Bryan's thoughts
(00:19:43) What if we stopped calling people "immigrants"?
(00:25:28) Labor History: why are we allowing this?
(00:32:17) Ric: lessons from strikes that could guide our movements
In this episode we ask the question: what direction for the mass protests taking place in the street today? In an attempt to answer this question, this espisode focuses on political theory, labor history, as well as the lessons we've learned from the strikes we've covered.
-Statement by the Coaltiion of Black Trade Unionists
-SEIU Nurses on Strike in Madison, WI
Today's episode:
* National Day of Action to Save Public Education
* Bernie/AOC rallies
* Update on UAW 291 strike
* World Federation of Trade Unions / May Day Declaration
* Federal Unionists Network (FUN)
* 10 National Unions call for anti-trump resistance
* Kentucky Unions fight deportation
Interview with UAW Local 291 president, Ryan Compton.
Workers have been on strike for 3 weeks at Cummins corporation. Cummins is a producer of diesel engines and axles. 90 workers are currently on strike. We interview President Compton to learn about the strike and how the community can support the striking workers.
April 3rd, 2025 marks the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's famous speech "I've been to the mountaintop." He delivered this speech in Memphis, TN the night before his assassination.
In this episode we play a segment from this speech and Bryan discusses Dr. King's legacy as far as his relation to unions and labor.
We also talk about striking workers in Osh Kosch, WI and about the protests currently being organized by postal workers.
Today was an uscripted discussion on politics, labor, and current events.
We covered stuff like:
-General/current state of social movements in the US
-Palesine update
-Bernie Sanders in Denver
-Creativity of the Working Class
-Postal Workers
-Unions as a microcosm of what a better, democratic society could look like
-Viper Armed / Jucuapa (i.e. Ric's album)
Bryan and Ric chop it up about Ric's recent visit to Wisconsin to do a presenation on how to research corporations. Ric also spoke at an event concerning the Black freedom struggle and Palestine.
-Solidarity with Palestine Report
-Southern Workers Assembly Statement
-Info on Corporate Research Presentation in Wisconsin (6pm, Feb 20th, Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park Street, Madison, WI)
-Reflections on Wisconsin
-Port Workers Strike Averted / Commentary on Teamsters strike
-Oregon Health Care Workers on Strike
-Update on solidarity efforts with Palestine
-United Auto Workers: strike at Strand bookstores and organizing at Newbury Comics
-Teamsters/Amazon strike update
-Starbucks workers strike update
-Organizing at REI
-Organizing in the US today
-Protests against Trump
-UNITE-HERE west coast Hotel Workers Strike ends
-Labor for Palestine solidarity w/ Teamster strike
-Teamster strike at Amazon
-Starbucks workers strike
-Interview with JoAnna Frasch, Vice President of AFSCME Local 1 in Wisconin. We talk to JoAnna about Act 10 and other labor issues in Wisconsin.
In this episode we speak to Michael Jones, president of Madison Teachers Inc. We talk about the recent reversal of Act 10 in Wisconsin. Act 10 is a piece of anti-labor legislation that was pushed by the-governor Scott Walker. The measure passed in 2011 and last week it was reversed.
We interview Madeline Topf, co-president of the graduate workers union in Madison, Wisconsin. She speaks to us about Act 10 and its reversal last week.
In this episode we speak with Heba Mohammad from Milwaukee for Palestine.
We cover:
-Milwaukee for Palestine
-Speaking to an anti-war Trump supporter
-Intersectionality and class struggle
-Inspiring struggles in solidarity with Palestine
-Arab countries and Palestine
-Culture & Struggle
-Boycott, Divesment, Sanctions Movement (BDS) campaign to Disarm Derco
-General strikes in Palestine
-Hope for the direction of the movement
- Attacks on free speech of people in solidarity with Palestine at UC San Francisco
- Gearing up for a strike at Volkswagen, in Germany
- Update on hotel workers strike, now entering its second month
- 50,000 postal workers on strike in Canada
- Union teachers in Albany, Oregon demand resignation of school board members
- Labor analysis
The Democratic Party suffered a colassal loss in the 2024 presidential elections. Kamala Harris conceded the election and left the stage with no Plan B for party supporters. So... what now? This episode is for people who are asking themselves that same quesion and are open to new ideas. Ideas that don't involve voting for the lesser of two evils every four years. Ideas taken from labor history in the late 1800s all the way through today.
In this episode we talk to James C, a student activist in Milwaukee who recently pressed presidential candidate Kamala Harris on the issue of genocide while she campaigned at his university. James C. shares the experience at the event along with his thoughts on Zionism vs. Judaism, the 2024 electioms, socialism, and the cultural influences which helped shape his political understandings.
In this special episode Bryan brings us some history and research from Wisconsin as it relates to the Bradley Foundation, Act 10, Project 2025 and more.
- Solidarity w/ Palestine Report
- End the War on Journalists (SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire)
- Cori Bush calls for Arms Embargo against "Israel"
- Columbia University staff person and activist in solidarity with Palestine reaches agreement with university
- United Electrical Workers (UE) victory against academic bosses
- UNITE-HERE hotel workers union expands strike with Omni Hotel walkouts in Boston
- United Auto Workers call for a mass strike on May 1, 2028
- Boeing strike update
- Casa Bonita workers organizing in Denver
- Solidarity efforts with Palesine
- APWU (Post Workers Union) victory
- Machinists on strike in Milwaukee
- Union Victory for teachers in Madison, Wisconsin
- University of Pittsburgh staff join United Steelworkers Union
- Deep dive into the think tanks, 'researchers', and 'economists' who provide goofy soundbytes like: "the strike will cost the economy $5 billion per day..."
- This week's episode offers update on the following:
- Solidarity struggles with Palestine
- The looming ILA (port workers) strike
- The UNITE HERE hotel workers strike
- The Boeing strike entering its 2nd week
- Starbucks workers struggle
- Appeal from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions on the occasion of a year of resistance to genocide
- Acts of solidarity carried out by UAW Local 2325, Port Workers and Community for Palestine, and students
- Update on UNITE HERE’s rolling hotel strikes
- Boeing and Longshoreworkers strikes (and the "cost" of strikes)
Today's episode includes:
-Solidarity with Palestine Report
-UNITE HERE Hotel workers expand strike
-CWA workers at AT&T go out on strike
-Rideshare drivers action in Nashville, TN
-Potential Internaional Longshoremen Association (ILA) strike on the East Coast
-Detroit Marathon Refinery workers strike
Special episode with Ric Urrutia:
Connect the dots and follow the money: how to research political contrbutions.
In this episode we use the Federal Elections Commission website to follow campaign contributions that involve corporations, interest groups, unions and political candidates. More specifically, we use Lockheed Martin, AIPAC and the Teamsters union to navigate this information and present it in compelling ways.
Questions this episode answers:
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
Where does a PAC get its money from?
Who does a PAC give money to, how much, and when?
What information can we find about CEOs?
All that and more in this episode.
Ric Urrutia is a labor researcher. He got his master's degree in Labor Studies at the University of Massachusetts and has been doing presentations on how to research infornation for social struggles since 2000. The main point of his research has been to 'find the jugulars' in corporations. The weak underbellies, the soft spots so workers can disrupt business/profits as usual.
We interview Andrew from the Peoples Power Assembly in Baltimore. We discuss labor, solidarity with Palestine, what socialism is, the elections, Kamala Harris, and the Democratic National Convention.
Jesus Rodriguez Espinoza, an expert on international relations, Venezuelan politics and communications. He served for several years as Consul General of Venezuela in Chicago. Before that he was part of the foundational editorial team of Aporrea.org. He is founder and editor of the Venezuelan anti-imperialist news outlet – Orinoco Tribune (orinocotribune.org).
- NJ Transit engineers strike averted for now as Biden takes emergency action
- Workers go on strike at five-star Paris hotel where IOC members are staying for Olympics
- Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon
- Labor for Palestine reports
- American Association of Jurists Condemn US Interventionism in Venezuela’s Presidential Elections
- Ric's thoughts on the 2024 elections
In this episode we chat with Gerry Scoppettuolo about the history of the Queer liberation movement. We touch on subjects like: the Stonewall Rebellion, Leslie Feinbeg, and some acts of international solidarity that have come out of the Queer liberation movement.
In this episode: Ric interviews co-host Bryan from We Rise Fighting. Bryan speaks to us about the history of labor and unions in Wisconsin, Act 10 and the 2011 protests, the Bradley Foundation, the RNC national conference scheduled for July 15 - 18 in Milwaukee and ideas for moving forward.
Interview with Madeline Gamsemer Topf, co-president of TAA Local 3220 in Wisconsin. Local 3220 represents graduate student workers. We cover the history of TAA, Act 10, what gets graduate student workers to organize, and much more.
In this episode we have 3 labor and community activists sharing their experience, insight and perspective on the role of women in the a labor and other social movements:
- Joanna Frasch, AFSCME Local 1, Wisconsin State Employees Union (WSEU)
- Alejandra Lopez, President of the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and School Personnel; and
- Crystal Mello, an organizer from Appalachia (Southwest Virginia) engaged in building union and community alliances to fight pipelines and to redirect funds from jails to community needs.
*This episode was originally recorded on April 28, 2024.
- White nationalist, anti-LGBTQ activity on the rise
- Judge halts Univ California academic workers’ strike, citing ‘damage to students’
- Matthew Eddy, Man Who Assaulted Black Superintendent at Baraboo, Wisconsin High School Graduation, Only Charged With Disorderly Conduct
- Mali financial workers union extends strike
- Some of AIPAC’s Biggest Donors Are Also Financing Attacks Against Labor Rights
- Nigeria loses electricity and major airports close as unions seek higher wages amid record inflation
- UAW Rank-N-File for a Democratic Union Statement
- GEO Statement in solidarity with UAW 4811 Strike
Statements from:
* The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
* National Writers Union (with respect to Rafah)
* The Bronx Public Defenders Union (with respect to repression against protests in New York
Also, updates on the University of California strike in solidarity with encampments, protests, and Palestine. And a potential strike by Samsung workers in South Korea.
UAW 4811 on strike in solidarity with Palestine, University of Washington student workers on strikes, Starbucks Workers United update, JFK airport fueling workers and mechanics strike (Teamsters) avertted, and update on UNITE HERE Local 11 hotel workers strike in Los Angeles.
How to research corporations for social/labor struggles.
* Corporate Investor Relations Pages
+ SEC documents
- Keyword searches
+ 10K Reports / Annual Reports
+ Proxy Statements
+ Quarterly Reports
+ New Releases
- Earth Day / Pentagon as a global presencen and pollutor
- Report on Palestine
- United Auto Workers: Volkwagen victory, Mercedes vote, CNH Industrial layoffs
- Portland Teachers Union and shitty right-wing lawyers suing them on behalf of four families
Interview with labor activist, former VT AFL-CIO president, and author David Van Deusen.
His new book "Insurgent Labor: The Vermont AFL-CIO 2017–2023" is available at PM Press.org.
We talk about his book, antifascism, experimentation as part of the labor struggle, international solidarity, and much more...
- Updates on Palestine and solidarity struggles with Palestine
- City Brewing Company workers (Teamsters) in Wisconsin approve strike authorization vote
- Train and airport workers in Germany reach agreements after months of strikes
- Salem-Keizer education workers reach tentative agreement, averting a potential strike
- South Korean bus drivers go on strike in Seoul
- Waffle House workers in Georgia go on strike
- Boston University graduate student workers go on strike
- Other news briefs
- Music: Charles Mingus, Haitian Fight Song
- Garment workers stand with Palestine, Bryan
- Urgent Appeal from the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, Bryan
- House Resolution 2882 and funding for Israeli militarization, Ric
- Molson Coors workers in Fort Worth, strike enters second month, Ric
- Members of REI Union March on Their Bosses and Take Other Collective Action, Bryan
- Hundreds of Kenyan doctors protest in the streets as national strike enters second week, Ric
- Salem-Keizer teachers union votes to approve possible strike, Ric
- Resolutions in solidarity with Palestine within the Oakland Education Association and AFSCME
- Information on an event called “Working Class Democracy and the Question of Palestine”
- Madison Sourdough Workers Ratify Contract
- Corporate Giants attack the NLRA
- SEIU Healthcare in Minnesota and Iowa
- Railway & Airline Strikes in Germany
- Possible Hospital Workers Strike in France during the Olympics
- Starbucks Workers Update
- US Labor in Solidarity with Palestine report
- Kroger workers in W. Va, Kentucky and Ohio authorize a strike
- Janitors in the Twin Cities expected to strike tomorrow, March 4th 2024
- Nigerian unions on nationwide strike
- Argentinian unions on general strike
- Teamsters at Anheuser Busch may have avoided a strike
- Starbucks workers may be closer to their first union contract
- Die-in in Maine in Solidarity w/ Palestinian People
- International Day for Palestinian Journalists
- March 2nd Day of International Solidarity w/ Palestine
- International Women’s Day
- Decolonization and the Fight Against Imperialism Conference
- Teamsters Strike at Molson Coors
- UAW/Ford Reach a Deal at their Kentucky Plant
- Starbucks - Workers at 21 Locations Announce They’re Unionizing
- Guinea - Unions Prepare for General Strike
- Twin City Nursing Home Workers
- What’s Ahead for 2024
We had some audio issues last week so here is our Feb 18, 2024 episode with those issues fixed. Sorry 'bout that everyone and thank you always for listening in.
* Report on Palestine includes segments on
+ Texas Labor for Palestine
+ No Tech for Apartheid
+ National Labor Network for Ceasefire
+ How the Venezuelan government is condemning the genocide in Gaza
+ A declaration by the UAW Arab Caucus calling for a practical interruption of the weapons UAW members are making, sending to Israel, and being used to kill Arab families
+ How African Methodist Episcopal Church calls for end to all US aid to Israel
* Labor Report
+ Amazon Claims NLRB Is Unconstitutional
+ Auto workers threaten strike at Ford’s most profitable plant
+ Teamsters at Molson Coors are on strike
+ Verdi union announces a strike of Lufthansa Airlines ground workers in Germany, affecting 100,000 passengers
- Report on Palestine includes segments on
- Texas Labor for Palestine
- No Tech for Apartheid
- National Labor Network for Ceasefire
- How the Venezuelan government is condemning the genocide in Gaza
- A declaration by the UAW Arab Caucus calling for a practical interruption of the weapons UAW members are making, sending to Israel, and being used to kill Arab families
- How African Methodist Episcopal Church calls for end to all US aid to Israel
- Labor Report
- Amazon Claims NLRB Is Unconstitutional
- Auto workers threaten strike at Ford’s most profitable plant
- Teamsters at Molson Coors are on strike
- Verdi union announces a strike of Lufthansa Airlines ground workers in Germany, affecting 100,000 passengers
-Labor Forum: Labor Forum The Genocidal Israeli War Against Palestine: February 24, 2024 (ILWU Local 10)
-Educators March in DC to Revoke Largest Labor Union’s Endorsement of Biden Amid Genocide in Gaza (Educators for Palestine)
-Under attack for solidarity with Palestine, NYC students are fighting back
-Feb. 10, 2024 Madison Rally Sends Clear Message: ‘No Nazis in Wisconsin! – Free Palestine! – Build People’s Power!’
-Wisconsin Planned Parenthood workers vote to unionize
-Recent Strike Report & Figures
-Mary Kay Henry won't run for re-election as president for the Service Employees International Union
- LaborForPalestine.Net
- Teamsters / Palestine
- AWU-CWA / Palestine
- Stop the Hate Rally in Madison, WI
- Newton Teachers Strike in Massachusetts
- Getting Comfortable with Illegal Strikes
- Teamsters / Anheuser-Busch
- Hyundai Workers Fight to Unionize
- Potential Downtown Minneapolis Workers Strike
- Public Transport Workers Strike in Germany
- Eugene Debs Excerpt from Anti-War Speech, 1910
Palestine/South African claim of genocide in the International Court of Justice, AFL-CIO affiliate YALL passes resolution in solidarity with Palestinian people, Stop the Hate / Build Peoples Unity rally in Madison, WI, teachers strike in Newton, Massachussets, Teamsters vs Anheuser Busch, Mexican workers take on Audi, quick update on Argentina.
Oakland port shut down in solidarity with the people of Gaza, Teamsters/Anheuser-Busch struggle, Feb 10 action in Madison, WI titled "Stop the Hate, Build Peoples' Unity", Musicians Union, Rent Strikes, headlines, Kwame Ture, Lenin.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode: updates on Palestine, Yemen, South Africa, Namibia, remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., illegal teachers strike in Massachusetts, UAW President Shawn Fain speaking on MLK Day, Educators for Palestine, Milwaukee AFSCME local 526, Nurses in solidarity with Palestine, Labor Notes & UNAC conferences, Teamsters, South Africa, COSATU, Resist Fascism Statement.
Update on Palestine, MLK March in Detroit January 15, 2023 Labor recap and what's ahead in 2024, a recent National Labor Relations Board ruling that may make it easier to organize unions, German railway strike...
-Labor for Palestine/Wisconsin event
-Jan 15th MLK March in Detroit
-Unionization efforts at Tesla in Sweden
-United Auto Workers
-OPEIU
-California hotel workers strike update
-Teamsters authorize strike at Anheuser-Busch
Updates on protests and labor actions in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Labor news briefs on the United Food & Commercial Workers and Tesla in Sweden.
Interview with activist and journalist Abayomi Azikiwe. We cover the current state of labor in the US, the conflict in Occupied Palestine, the labor legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., current struggles in African nations, and more.
Interview with Terri Smith, striking casino worker in Detroit. There are currenly 3,700 casino workers on strike in Detroit represented by a total of five unions.
This week's labor news: labor & Palestine, the UAW strike, Kaiser Permanente strike, SAG-AFTRA, Starbucks workers, the Graduate Employees Organization Local 3550 and a statement from the World Federation of Trade Unions in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Update on the genocidal acts being carried out in Occupied Palestine. We also discuss protests happening in the US, a call for action from Palestinian Trade Unions and an exemplary statement written by the Graduate Employees Organization Local 3550. After that we cover the 3 largest strikes taking place in the US right now: UAW, SAG-AFTRA and Kaiser Permanente (SEIU).
Interview with former Starbucks worker-organizer, Carrie Kawczynski in Wisconsin. She shares her experiences about how workers at her shop organized and why.
No introductory music or anything in this episode.
This is our contribution to the discussion on the conflictt between Israel and Palestine.
This is a special episode where we interview working-class/UAW organizer, Frank Hammer. This episode is rich in labor history, theory, and lessons for today's social movement unionism. We talk about today's UAW strike, international solidarity, the Women's Emergency Brigades, building a united front, UAW President Shawn Fain, and much more!
Lots of labor lessons, experience, and substance in this episode!
We Rise Fighting was one of the the groups organizing the Sept 30th Worker & Community Summit in Neehan Wisconsin. The point of the summit was to gather labor and community groups to discuss things like: strike support, solidarity, organizing unions in the workplace, workplace stories about standing up to corporate greed, etc. Bryan reports back from the Summit.
Update and details on the Worker & Community Summit taking place Sept 30th in Neenah, Wisconsin.
Update on the United Auto Workers strike as well as an interview with a striker in Denver.
Also: Ric's encounter with Congresswoman Diana DeGette who along with Perlmutter, Neguse, and Crow (in CO) voted to crush the railway strike last year.
Altogether, 211 Democrats voted in favor of crushing the railway strike. Only 8 Democrats voted against crushing the railroad strike.
By contrast: 129 Republicans who voted against crushing it and 79 vote in favor of crushing it.
This is a link to Ric's research and official links on this matter.
-UAW on strike against the Big 3 Automakers.
-Information on the Worker & Community Summit in Neenah, WI, Sept 30th, 2023.
This week we offer details on the Worker/Community Summit taking place in Neenah, WI and interview Justine, a young worker from Madison who recently helped organize a union with the Communications Workers of America.
Reflections on Labor Day as well as news updates on the United Auto Workers negotiations, Teamsters Local 662, Kaiser Permanente workers in Colorado, American Airlines, and Anderson Economic Group.
Mercury Cafe workers in Denver, Graduate Employees Organization Local 3550 contract ratification, Trader Joe's United, Teamsters & UPS, Teamsters Local 662, Labor Day events in Wisconsin, potential United Autoworkers strike, March in Milwaukee, Anderson Economic Group, OPEIU.
Correction: at a certain point in the program I [Ric] attribute the "$2 billion per day" figure to the Anderson Economic Group (AEG). This is not correct. The American Association of Railroads came up with that number. AEG chimed in later with their own [equally goofy] figure.
Labor news updates on the Teamsters, Starbucks workers and the Republican National Convention. Also, when we hear stuff like "the strike will cost the economy $2 billion per day", where do those numbers actually come from? Who creates those numbers and how? Should we believe them?
Updates on the Teamsters, United Auto Workers, the Republican National Convention, the SAG AFTRA strike and Starbucks workers. We also revisit the wild world of “a strike would cost the economy $X billion dollars per day”.
Teamsters, Amazon workers in Britain, Starbucks workers, the RNC, Laborfest, the Tampa 5 and an update on the generally growing strike activity within the US labor movement.
*Correction: at one point Ric is reading strike statistics from Jeremy Brecher's book "Strike" and says "1994" (with conviction!) instead of "1944".
Recent labor new from Teamsters union, UPS, McDonalds workers, the RNC, the Graduate Employees Organization Local 3550 in Ann Arbor, SAF-AFTRA strike, Laborfest, OPEIU and more!
Conspiracy theories vs. Marxian economic/labor theory.
-Common characteristics and flaws in conspiracy theories.
-Marxism as a systemic critique of capitalism rooted in the material dialectic.
Labor news updates on: Teamsters & UPS, Graduate Employees Organization (Univ of Mich) strike update, UNITE HERE hotel workers strike in California, the struggles in France and Palestine, and the Starbucks workers strike. This show begins with a full-length recording of Ossie Davis reading Frederick Douglass' piece "What to the slave is the fourth of July?".
IBEW coffee workers contract in Milwaukee, Teamsters & UPS, IATSE, United Electrical Workers (UE) organizing academic workers, SoCal Hotel Workers strike authorization, journalists strike against Gannett, updates from United Kingdom, National Day of Outrage in North Carolina, National March to Protect Trans Youth in Florida.
This week's labor news: OPEIU strike update, Supreme Court decision concerning an employer's ability to sue unions, United Airlines pilots, Hollywood workers struggles, organizing at Trader Joe's, the Tampa 5, protests against Ron Desantis and much more...
This week's labor news inlcuding: new from Cambodia, Great Britain, the Teamsters and UPS, the Writers Guild Strike, the OPEIU strike in Wisconsin, and the doctor’s strike in NY.
This week's labor news: OPEIU/Madison Strike, SAG AFTRA strike authorization, Teamsters & UPS,
FedEx pilots strike authorization, Starbucks Workers United, Republian National Convention 2024, Rutgers University contract vote, University of Michigan fabricating grades for the students of striking graduate instructors/GEO 3550.
This week's labor news includes: Southwest Airlines Pilot strike authorization, German rail union cancels planned two-day strike, brief GEO 3550 and Oakland School district strike updates, Writers Guild Strike, Rutgers strike.
In this episode we interview Steve Babson, author of “Forgotten Populists: When Farmers Turned Left to Save Democracy”. Now retired, Steve Babson worked as an instructor and extension program coordinator in the Labor Studies Center at Wayne State University.
He is the author of various books including “Working Detroit: The Making of a Union Town,” and “The Color of Law: Ernie Goodman and the Struggle for Labor and Civil Rights in Detroit.”
Babson is also an Executive Board member of AAUP-AFT Local 6075 which represents 1,700 full time faculty and academic staff at Wayne State University. He’s also a leader of Detroit Eviction Defense, an organization that fights foreclosures and evictions.
Part 1: Brief updates on strikes at Rutgers University, University of Michigan, Oakland School District, and Writers Guild. Also a brief update on UPS/Teamsters negotiation.
Part 2: Interview with Kathryn Bartlett-Mulvihill, president of OPEIU Local 39 in Madison, WI. The local recently authorized a strike vote against one of the largest employers in Madison.
Recap and highlights of the shows we've done and what we've reported on since last Internaional Workers Day.
Labor news briefs at the end.
The US is experiencing a wave of strikes and organizing activity in higher education. Our podcast has been following the strikes at Rutgers University and the University of Michgan for a couple of months so we decided to reach out to the unions to get updates/info directly from the membership. Both unions have been on strike at the same time and they both represent workers employed by public academic institutions.
Labor news including: Rutgers University, University of Michigan, Teamsters/UPS, Railroad Workers United, Poor Peoples' Campaign, Nigerian and German airport workers, Oakland teachers, rally in Madison, May Day, San Antonio, OPEIU and more!
Labor news: Teamsters, Coca-Cola workers in Philly, news and analysis from Wisconsin, sanitation workers in Memphis, strikes at Rutgers University and University of Michigan, Sysco workers, International Workers day and UPS...
Labor news for March 2, 2023. Rutgers University, SEIU press releases, sourdough workers, Bay Area police union leader allegedly smuggling fentanyl, University of Michigan, Michigan Right to Work repealed, Florida, Germany, France, Wisconsin, Starbucks, and more.
This week's labor news includes: French worker struggles, report/struggle from Florida, new era in organizing in higher ed, SVB collapse (Ric keeps calling it SVC), school workers in Los Angeles, Caterpillar...
This week's labor news: Starbucks workers, Caterpillar workers, transit workers, academic workers, Railroad workers, the Southern Workers Assembly, all that and more.
This is part 2 of our episodes celebrating Black History Month in 2023. In this episode we recognize and talk about some of our favoite cultural workers and their contributions to the labor and civil rights struggles.
Labor news and interview with Jeff Kurtz of Railroad Workers United. Labor news covers CNHi/UAW Local 180, airport workers strike in Germany, Starbucks, Mumia Abu-Jamal, and more. Jeff Kurtz talks to us about the roots of the problem with regards to the recent trail detrailments.
This week's labor news includes updates on UAW/Caterpillar, Teamsters, 'illegal' teachers strikes in Massachusetts, French unions, Los Angeles school district workers, the NFL players union and more...
In honor of Black history month, the three of us at WRF chose our favorite moments/leaders from the history of the Black workers struggle in the US. Bryan talks about Paul Robeson, Gerry presents on\ Moranda Smith and the Food and Tobacco Workers, and Ric discusses DRUM, the Dodge Revolutionary Union Movement.
Labor news and reflections on our involvement in the UAW Local 180 strike in Racine, WI.
Labor news updates including: CNH/Local 180, Amazon/ALU, Caterpillar/UAW, Teamsters, nurses' struggles, international news, and much more.
Interview with Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals, AFT.
We go beyond the usual "I have a dream" speech and look at Dr. King's legacy with regards to unions, labor and the antiwar movements.
The hosts of the show offering lessons learned from this year's labor events and a report back from Racine, WI, where Bryan and Ric spent 5 days doing solidarity work.
An interview with President Alejandra Lopez of the San Antonio Alliance. She discusses union/community coalition building, union democracy, unions in nonprofit organizations and much more.
Interview with Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly, professor and co-editor of "Organize, Fight, Win - Black Communist Women's Political Writings".
Interview with Jeff Kurtz of Railway Workers United. Jeff discusses some of the contractual and legislative acts that have paved the way for today's railway worker struggle.
An exclusive interview with Marilee Taylor from Railroad Workers United. Marilee joined us to give a better understanding of what's going on with the railway workers strike.
Labor news: railway workers, Amazon workers, Korean truckers, UAW strikes on the east coast, west coast and Racine, WI.
Also: update on UAW Local 180 strike against CNH Industrial (Case Holland) in Racine, Wisconsin.
News updates on UAW Locals 180, 807, and 2865. A railway workers update, Starbucks workers strike and more. Also: an interview with long-time Detroit activist and revolutionary socialist David Sole.
This week's labor news and interview with Brother David Van Deusen, president of the Vermont AFL-CIO. In recent years the Vermont AFL-CIO has been implementing progressive changes in the spirit of social justice unionism. In this episode we interview Brother Van Deusen and learn about those changes.
This week's labor news followed by a presentation on how strikes are won. We look at past strikes, discuss labor theory, history, principles, corporate research and shop floor tactics.
An interview with Clarence Thomas, retired member of the Longshore Workers Union (ILWU) Local 10 on the west coast. Brother Thomas talks to us about the Million Worker March, longshore worker actions in solidarity with the people of El Salvador, South Africa and Palestine, union democracy, the Black Panthers and more!
This week's labor news as well as an in-depth interview with Nathanette Mayo and Angaza Sababu Laughinghouse of Black Workers for Justice, United Electrical Workers (UE) Local 150 and Fruit of Labor Singing Ensemble.
We bring you this week's labor news, some jams and an interview with Ajii, a Starbucks worker from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Labor news and analysis for Sunday, Oct 16th followed by an interview with Michael Jones, President of the Madison Teachers Inc.
Interview with Vermont AFL-CIO Executive Vice President, Katie Harris. In this episode we discuss the different ways the Vermont AFL-CIO has been active in the struggle against fascism.
UAW worker in Racine, Wisconsin are on strike against CNH Industrial. In this episode we interview local president Yasin Mahdi who gives us insight into this important struggle.
An interview with long-standing labor activist Ed Childs. We discuss everything from securing LGBTQIA rights in union contracts to international worker solidarity during war time.
This week's labor news covers strikes and worker organizing within the Denver Classroom Teachers Association, the United Auto Workers, Starbucks/Taco Bell organizing, and more...
A look back at the 1997 Teamsters strike at UPS. Lessons to be learned for today's labor struggles.
How war affects the working class and how workers/soldiers can throw a wrench in the war machine.
General strikes, rolling strikes, sit-down strikes, boycotts, sympathy strikes, wildcats strikes... What weapons does labor have at its disposal? How has labor used them throughout US history? This episode is a celebration of International Workers Day, 2022.
In this episode we discuss the differences between social justice unionism and business unionism. We use some of our favorite pieces of labor history to contrast the two.
In this episode we discuss the history of social struggles in El Salvador, the US labor movement and international solidarity.