Bill Bumpus Somerville MA - An injury to one is an injury to all

The story of mail ballots in 2020 is the story of a union postal workforce willing to go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that every vote got delivered.

Postal workers did this despite the deliberate holdups created by new Postmaster General Louis “Delay the Mail” DeJoy, and a workforce hit hard by COVID.

The story of mail ballots in 2020 is the story of a union postal workforce willing to go to extraordinary lengths to make sure that every vote got delivered.

Postal workers did this despite the deliberate holdups created by new Postmaster General Louis “Delay the Mail” DeJoy, and a workforce hit hard by COVID.

Workers suffered a devastating defeat in California’s Proposition 22, the most expensive ballot measure in U.S. history. “Gig economy” giants Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and DoorDash spent $200 million to pass the measure, which exempts them from basic labor laws.

“It’s a disappointment, but it’s not surprising,” said driver Tyler Sandness. “$200 million is going to buy you a big voice.”

Workers suffered a devastating defeat in California’s Proposition 22, the most expensive ballot measure in U.S. history. “Gig economy” giants Uber, Lyft, Instacart, and DoorDash spent $200 million to pass the measure, which exempts them from basic labor laws.

“It’s a disappointment, but it’s not surprising,” said driver Tyler Sandness. “$200 million is going to buy you a big voice.”

Physicians at one of Washington state’s largest health care providers just announced their intent to strike, potentially shutting down 20 urgent care clinics across the Puget Sound region. They won recognition with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) in 2018 after a two-year fight with MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care and have been battling for a first contract ever since.

Physicians at one of Washington state’s largest health care providers just announced their intent to strike, potentially shutting down 20 urgent care clinics across the Puget Sound region. They won recognition with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) in 2018 after a two-year fight with MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care and have been battling for a first contract ever since.

On November 4, as the country was awaiting the results of the previous day's presidential election, my co-workers and I held our breath as we watched the proceedings of another election play out over Zoom. Our vote, for union recognition at Detroit's bikeshare company, was less controversial: the ballots were unanimous in favor of unionizing.

I work at Shift Transit, which operates the MoGo bikeshare system here in Detroit. Though Shift does not own the bikes, stations, or other equipment, we are responsible for maintenance, customer support, and day-to-day operations.

On November 4, as the country was awaiting the results of the previous day's presidential election, my co-workers and I held our breath as we watched the proceedings of another election play out over Zoom. Our vote, for union recognition at Detroit's bikeshare company, was less controversial: the ballots were unanimous in favor of unionizing.

I work at Shift Transit, which operates the MoGo bikeshare system here in Detroit. Though Shift does not own the bikes, stations, or other equipment, we are responsible for maintenance, customer support, and day-to-day operations.

California’s Proposition 15, a labor-backed progressive tax measure, gave up the ghost on November 10 after a weeklong vote count. The measure had proposed to close a corporate tax loophole worth $10 to $12 billion a year for schools and services.

California’s Proposition 15, a labor-backed progressive tax measure, gave up the ghost on November 10 after a weeklong vote count. The measure had proposed to close a corporate tax loophole worth $10 to $12 billion a year for schools and services.

Despite record turnout, the razor-thin margins that ousted Trump in the recent election sharply illustrate the important role of field work—in-person conversations and timely personal follow-up by trained canvassers—particularly when expanding the electorate with Black and Latino working class voters.

Despite record turnout, the razor-thin margins that ousted Trump in the recent election sharply illustrate the important role of field work—in-person conversations and timely personal follow-up by trained canvassers—particularly when expanding the electorate with Black and Latino working class voters.

Now that Biden and Harris have won a decisive victory, not only in the popular vote but also in the electoral college, it is more important than ever for workers and their organizations to remain vigilant and not de-mobilize while making sure every vote is counted.

Now that Biden and Harris have won a decisive victory, not only in the popular vote but also in the electoral college, it is more important than ever for workers and their organizations to remain vigilant and not de-mobilize while making sure every vote is counted.

Note: This article was posted at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 4, as results from around the country were still coming in.

Like everyone else, we’re anxiously watching for updates on the presidential vote-count and consequential down-ballot races. Those results could have significant implications for the battlegrounds for labor in the years ahead.

But there were also several ballot initiatives worth keeping an eye on. Here’s how they fared, or are faring so far.

Note: This article was posted at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 4, as results from around the country were still coming in.

Like everyone else, we’re anxiously watching for updates on the presidential vote-count and consequential down-ballot races. Those results could have significant implications for the battlegrounds for labor in the years ahead.

But there were also several ballot initiatives worth keeping an eye on. Here’s how they fared, or are faring so far.

Today 915 of the 1,000 union educators in Brookline, Massachusetts, took part in a sickout demanding a six-foot distance between people in classrooms.

The district previously agreed to this safety requirement in a memorandum of understanding. But now it wants to allow the superintendent to change it.

“When they tried to give the superintendent unilateral control to change the distance, they tore up the MOU,” said Brookline Educators Union President Jessica Wender-Shubow.

Today 915 of the 1,000 union educators in Brookline, Massachusetts, took part in a sickout demanding a six-foot distance between people in classrooms.

The district previously agreed to this safety requirement in a memorandum of understanding. But now it wants to allow the superintendent to change it.

“When they tried to give the superintendent unilateral control to change the distance, they tore up the MOU,” said Brookline Educators Union President Jessica Wender-Shubow.

During this election cycle, companies like Uber, Lyft, and Doordash—the so-called “gig economy” giants—have spent a record-breaking $200 million to pass Proposition 22 in California. The proposition would exempt these companies from basic labor law.

While the initiative is opposed by the California Federation of Labor and many Democratic elected officials, its fiercest adversary is a little-known “start-up” union, Rideshare Drivers United.

During this election cycle, companies like Uber, Lyft, and Doordash—the so-called “gig economy” giants—have spent a record-breaking $200 million to pass Proposition 22 in California. The proposition would exempt these companies from basic labor law.

While the initiative is opposed by the California Federation of Labor and many Democratic elected officials, its fiercest adversary is a little-known “start-up” union, Rideshare Drivers United.