The Wisconsin Idea

Labor

Volkswagen Workers in Chattanooga Vote "UAW, Yes!"—and Win Big

“With UAW’s win at Volkswagen, another gateway to the South has been opened. No longer will the wage-and-benefit standards of the million-strong auto workforce in the U.S. be set by the non-union portion of the industry."

Luis Feliz Leon

The Threats To U.S. Democracy Go Far Beyond Elections and the Courts

We need to do more than protect our elections. Getting money out of politics, repealing anti-dissent laws and ensuring more accountability from elected officials are equally important to democracy.

Basav Sen

LaborFeatureInvestigation

Lawsuit: Alabama Is Denying Prisoners Parole to Lease Their Labor to Meatpackers, McDonalds

No parole if you’re still profitable.

Kim Kelly

Labor

The Nation’s Coal Miners Get a Rare Piece of Good News

MSHA’s new silica rule—recommended 50 years ago—could save thousands from black lung, although advocates worry about enforcement.

Kim Kelly

Labor

What Today's Labor Activists Can Learn From the Legacy of Ron Carey

The late Teamsters reform leader Ron Carey succeeded in turning around a corrupt and conservative union. Today’s labor reformers looking to revitalize their own unions can take lessons from his career.

Steve Early and Rand Wilson

FeatureElection 2024Cover Story

The War on Protest Is Here

Political repression is on the rise as the state finds new ways to criminalize dissent and collective action.

Adam Federman

The Political Coalition the Left Needs to Win

"The situation is, without question, daunting. But there are signs of possibility all around us—and the future is ours for the taking."

Alex Han

LaborFeature

Two Years In, These “Progressive” Companies Still Haven’t Negotiated First Union Contracts

The union wave at big U.S. retailers hasn’t yet resulted in first contracts for workers at Trader Joe’s, Starbucks and REI. But unions are proving their value in other ways.

Jeremy Gantz

Rural America

“Crisis”: Half of Rural Hospitals Are Operating at a Loss, Hundreds Could Close

A new report paints a grim picture for small-town health care—especially in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez