Democratic renewal – reasons to be hopeful
President Joe Biden will convene world leaders beginning on March 29, 2023, for the Summit for Democracy, a virtual event being touted as an opportunity to “reflect, listen and learn” with… Read more »
Category: Labor and labor unions
Thomas Donahue, ‘legendary’ labor leader, democracy advocate, dies at 94
Thomas R. Donahue, the second in command to Lane Kirkland, president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. for 16 years, died on Saturday in Washington, D.C. He was 94. He was suffering from… Read more »
Why labor unions enhance democracy
Unions give individuals an opportunity to participate in democratic decision-making, says Stuart Applebaum (above), President of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) and a board member of the… Read more »
Why organized labor is a democratic catalyst
The labor movement has played a decisively prodemocratic role, not least as a catalyst for democratic transition in such states as Poland, South Africa, Brazil, and Chile, while Tunisia’s UGTT… Read more »
Ukraine solidarity: Workers refuse to unload Russian oil from ship
LIVERPOOL dockworkers are refusing to unload Russian oil from a German-flagged ship which is moored at a major British oil refinery, the BBC reports: The Seacod vessel is at a… Read more »
Organized labor – militates against autocracy, mobilizes for democracy
The mobilization of a pro-democracy coalition of trade unions – the Sudanese Professionals Association – raised the profile of student and opposition activists through a public call to spread the… Read more »
‘Getting China Wrong’: How Peng Shuai exposed limits of Beijing’s power
Human rights groups have called for Tesla to change course after the company opened a new dealership in the Xinjiang region of China. Reports out of the province have revealed… Read more »
‘Strong unions make strong democracies’ – Rich Trumka, R.I.P.
Labor and democracy activists are mourning the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “The labor movement, the AFL-CIO and the nation lost a legend today,” said AFL-CIO Communications Director Tim… Read more »
Arab Spring 2.0? Five lessons from 2011
The conditions that spurred the Arab uprisings, including government corruption, failed economies and deteriorating social services, have only intensified in many countries, exacerbated by 2020’s Covid-19 pandemic, notes analyst Megan O’Toole…. Read more »
Belarus transformation is ‘a marathon, not a sprint’
Belarusian authorities have started mass criminal proceedings against more than 200 peaceful protesters who were detained during a rally on Sunday, and are now at risk of being jailed for… Read more »