Category Archives: Labor/Economics

2010 U. S. Social Forum, Detroit

If you want to connect to people involved in just about every social justice issue our nation faces, you would find your people at the US Social Forum. The first USSF was held in Atlanta in 2007. This year the … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics, National | Leave a comment

The Aging of America: Is It an Economic Problem?

For decades, environmentalists concerned about overpopulation and social workers concerned about families have both advocated family planning, and by that they mostly mean having fewer children. And indeed, throughout the world, including both developed and underdeveloped countries in every continent, … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

Ben Fletcher IWW

Born in Philadelphia in 1890, Ben Fletcher was the most important African American labor leader in the most influential union of the early 20th century, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). This was no small accomplishment considering that this … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Campus Faculty Association at U of I Fights Back: In Springfield and on Campus

In a political climate of incredible irresponsibility, ineptitude, and corruption, the Campus Faculty Association (CFA) at the U of I has been letting our state legislators know that we will not put up with the privation to which public education … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

Money is Not a Natural Resource

Can money be wasted in a global sense? No, not like fuel is wasted. Money is neither a natural resource nor a manufactured product. There are no resource limits, though there are social limits to its quantity, and there are … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

Judi Bari, the IWW and Environmentalism

As we celebrate Earth Day and enjoy the flush of spring, it is important to reflect on those who have made invaluable contributions to the continuing efforts at protecting our environment and our rights. Judi Bari is one such individual … Continue reading

Posted in Environment, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

Organizing the Unemployed

A disheveled man stands in a local post office asking for spare change. Another man hands him a dollar and strikes up a conversation, fishers-of-men style. The second man describes a local effort among unemployed and underemployed workers to get … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

GEO Update

DESPITE HAVING WORKED for over two months under the terms of an expired contract, the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) continues to seek a negotiated agreement over the terms of their new contract with the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

GEO Struggles For A Living Wage And The Future

WHILE THE ONGOING ADMISSIONS SCANDAL at UIUC has brought mainstream attention to the administration’s misplaced priorities, labor activists have long been familiar with the contradictions. It doesn’t surprise Peter Campbell therefore, to know that the Chancellor approved using $300,000 of … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

A Memorial for Archie Green: A Union Man, Laborlore Scholar, Folklife Advocate and Legend

THIS PAST MARCH, ARCHIE GREEN passed away. He was 91. Archie collected and catalogued songs, poems, and stories produced by ordinary people that described their work experiences, and their lives as workers. He studied Library Science at the University of … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

Mahomet Seymour Teacher Union Struggle

On June 11, the Mahomet Seymour Education Association (MSEA) held a press conference to gain public support for their opposition to Mahomet Seymour teaching staff being asked to perform medical and health services as a condition of their employment, instead … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

There is s War Going on for Your Mind: Labor Media in Central Illinois

UNTIL THE LATE 1970‘S, EVERY MAJOR newspaper in the United States had at least one labor reporter with regular stories about unions and working class issues. Labor related news stories were also heard regularly on radio stations, and begining in … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics, Media | Leave a comment

GEO Fights for a Living Wage

BARGAINING IN AN ATMOSPHERE of fiscal crisis is difficult. There is a temptation to maneuver conservatively, hoping only to hold one‘s ground. However, for those of us who are graduate employees, the current and future stewards of higher education, the … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

The Working Class Strikes Back

On Friday Dec. 5th 2008, an event occured on the near-north side of Chicago that sent a chill up the spine of corporate America and inspired working people around the world. A small factory of 200 workers refused to go … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

How the Economic Decline Affect Us Locally

The Champaign-Urbana economy reflects what is happening nationally. The decline in sales, jobs, and construction, and the rising mortgage foreclosure rates are less severe than surrounding communities such as Decatur and Danville because of the stabilizing influence from the University … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

The Case of the Gap and the Oak Harbor Strike

In a recent strike, over 600 workers from Oak Harbor Freight Lines (O.H.) have taken the legal and moral principle of corporate social responsibility to a new level. They have taken their case to Oak Harbor’s major clients, demanding that … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

The Economic Crisis, Greed, and a New Society

The current crisis in the credit markets and its impacts on the larger economy have got me thinking about whether it is simply greed that ultimately explains current events or whether there is a need for systemic change in the … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

Graduate Employees Unite!

Over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO, IFT/AFT 6300) hosted 80 graduate employee union activists and leaders for the AGEL (Alliance of Graduate Employee Locals) conference, a twice-yearly gathering to reflect on lessons learnt and challenges … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Labor/Economics | Leave a comment

‘Be Realistic…Demand the Impossible!”

”It is not that our problems are that big… It’s just that we are looking at them on our knees.” —Grafitti in the Buenos Aires subte, 2003 RISING PERSONAL DEBT AND BANKRUPTCIES, falling wages, housing foreclosures, growing unemployment, increasing service … Continue reading

Posted in Labor/Economics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Labor of Black Women

IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, Black women have labored harder within its borders than any other group. Black women have constituted the most disposal segment of the American labor force, working in the least desirable, least paid positions. Not only … Continue reading

Posted in African Americans, Human Rights, Labor/Economics, Women | Leave a comment