August 10, 2026

Press Release – OFFICIAL STATEMENT

In solidarity with our sister nation and working youth of Colombia:

The Latin American and Caribbean Youth of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) express our deep solidarity and fraternity with the Colombian people, its youth and its workers, following the recent earthquake that affected our sister nation of Colombia on the morning of Monday, August 10, 2026.

We, the youth union members of the region, are closely monitoring the situation and extend our deepest condolences to the affected families. In the face of natural disasters, the unity and solidarity of the working class are our most powerful tools.

We reaffirm our historic commitment to struggle and brotherhood. In times of greatest difficulty, the unity of the working-class and popular youth of Latin America and the Caribbean is the fundamental pillar for rebuilding and sustaining the hope of our peoples.

Onward, Colombian brothers and sisters!

Long live Latin American youth!

Long live the World Federation of Trade Unions!

Long live Organized Peoples!

Sincerely,

Commission of Working Youth of Latin America and the Caribbean

For the sovereignty and dignity of the peoples.

Our voice is strong, our strength is throughout Latin America!

The post World Labor Supports Colombian People first appeared on Labor Today.

The post World Labor Supports Colombian People appeared first on Labor Today.

The silver mines in Real de Monte had dangerous conditions, with workers using mercury and hazardous materials to mine resources, while in return received low pay.

European workers (“white” by United States demographic standards), Mestizo (“Mixed-race”) and Native Americans made up the majority of the workers, while a small contingent of enslaved African heritage workers were also present at the mines.

From August 1st, 1766, to August 15, 1766, workers filed grievances to the Spanish viceroy. A work stoppage happened at this time. In response, the Spanish colonial government sent 300 soldiers to end the strike and force workers back to work. The strike was broken by the Spanish government, and the mines were reduced in scale by 1767. British leadership later took over operation of the mines.

Workers in Mexico celebrated this strike last week, also stating:

Yesterday, we commemorated the 260th anniversary of the first strike in Latin America, led by the brave miners of Real del Monte in Hidalgo.

Today, more than ever, we must keep their legacy alive within our miners’ union, “Los Mineros,” as we continue to fight—with strength, unity, and solidarity—for the rights, dignity, and justice of miners and the entire working class.

Long live the miners of Mexico!
Long live the workers’ struggle!
Long live dignity and labor justice!

The post First Workers Strike in North America Commemorated first appeared on Labor Today.

The post First Workers Strike in North America Commemorated appeared first on Labor Today.

The contract was due to expire on July 31st – ultimately, talks would begin in February, with British Petroleum seeking to cut 200 positions at their Whiting, Indiana refinery and introduce labor surveillance tools for AI training in an environment where the union had lost 300 positions to “independent contract workers.”

The United Steel Workers (USW) authorized to strike with a 98 percent vote after the company had turned down several offers.

USW, representing 30,000 workers, reached national agreements with all but four refineries. At the Whiting refinery, where the average worker makes 50 dollars per hour, management agreed to a 24-hour rolling extension of the previous contract. Local 7-1 held a rally outside the refinery gate after more than 3 weeks.
The company offered its best and final offer, which included an extended industrial peace clause, demanding a notification of 150 days before any industrial action from the union, a lumpsum one-time payment to all non-union workers of $7,500, and an introduction of a 10-hour work schedule.

The proposal was rejected by a 98.3 percent vote in early March. When the lockout finally began, Roxanne Brown, President of the United Steel Workers, stepped in and put the Union’s international behind the local.
The lockout has been going on since February of this year in Whiting, initiated in response to the USW refusing to sign a deal for staff reduction at British Petroleum’s largest refinery.

The post British Bosses Lock Out US Workers first appeared on Labor Today.

The post British Bosses Lock Out US Workers appeared first on Labor Today.

Amber Longo not only took part in the historic May Day event but also joined an internship with the Workers Central Union of Cuba (CTC). She highlighted three main takeaways that the Cuban people wanted to share with her and the world. ​

Point 1 – Education 

During the internship, Londo took part in roleplaying exercises that she found valuable. “The instructors would put us in these sophisticated role-playing sessions for workplace scenarios. They would give us roles with different individual needs and desires for a workplace setting. In order to learn how to cooperate with the other roleplayed co-workers, through compromising, we had to learn what our own role was willing to give up.” ​
Workers in Cuba have the right to training and can use two weeks of their annual leave for daytime education of their choice. Higher education keeps producing skilled, well-prepared workers. There is a strong focus on science, education and knowledge among Cuban workers. 
Longo spoke not only as a labor unionist but also as a scientist. “We got to hear from someone from The Cuban Institute for Molecular Immunology.” She explained that she left her academic work for moral reasons. As a scientist in the United States, her work could be used for war or profit. She described how, in Cuba, scientific institutions focus on creating medicines to help people, not for war or profit. “If I had been doing science in Cuba, I would not have left the field of science,” Longo said, her voice full of emotion. ​ 

Point 2 – Unity 

Londo said the roleplaying sessions showed an important lesson from the Cuban trade unionists: “No one is going to get everything that they wanted, but if you participate in this struggle, we will all have a better outcome.” Trade union participation is a key part of Cuba’s democracy, making sure that the everyday members’ workplace struggles are included in how the government works. ​ 

The Workers’ Center of Cuba has been the country’s main trade union federation since 1939. Today, the CTC unites 15 sectoral unions that organize over 80,000 workplace branches. These unions work at municipal, provincial, and industrial levels. They are funded by members’ dues, usually based on earnings. Each union elects committees at the municipal, provincial, and national levels. 

Having trade unions represented at all levels of government helps Cubans stay resilient. For example, Longo mentioned that solar panels are provided for prenatal care for women. This support came about because women raised their concerns at work, and these issues were brought to the government by delegates elected through the CTC. 

The CTC’s role in both the workplace and government shows this unity. “The CTC’s job is to act as a representative of the workers in opposition but not antagonistically to the government,” Longo says. The strength of having one union helps keep everyone united. Longo shared that during their roleplay sessions, they were asked, “What are you willing to give up to maintain unity… As a working class movement our power comes from numbers and from unity.” ​ 

Point 3 – Adapting to the Changing Workplace 

For most of the 67 years since its Revolution, Cubans have lived under American embargoes. The Cuban people are used to making sacrifices to protect their way of life. Their dedication to their country helps them adapt and find new solutions. ​ 

Cuba’s creativity and determination have helped them survive tough times. They use solar panels and electric motorcycles. Doctors keep working to save lives, especially newborns. Cuban researchers are working hard to dilute the country’s heavy oil, which is hard to refine, especially since they cannot import what they need. 
The Cuban people’s resilience and commitment to defending their country during the Trump regime’s six-month-old embargo continues to show their strength. Imagine if the U.S. had to go six months with almost no oil.

“There is a lot the American labor movement can learn from its fellow Cuban trade unionists.” Longo’s message is important for U.S. workplaces. American workers are working longer hours and facing tougher conditions as prices rise, making life harder. Unionization is growing in the U.S., but the Amazon model is spreading worldwide. “Gig work is here. It is causing destruction to unions… Now we have the AI revolution and giga-fication. Our current union structure is not creative enough to overcome. If anyone has the experience to come to those collective creative solutions, it is the people of Cuba.” Longo ended her talk by saying, “We need their knowledge to fight our demons. So it’s important for us to show solidarity with [Cuba] but also to learn from them.” ​ 

“Do the Work in Our Unions” ​ 

Longo ended her talk by saying, “There is a lot to do [to help Cuba]. But the most important thing to do is do the work in your unions. You can also sign a petition Cuba is not Alone and use that as an organizing tool. This is the same petition that the Cuban people signed and sent to Raúl Castro. “If you are doing the individual organizing work with people, you can connect why you should support Cuba [to your co-workers.]”

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 2 first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 2 appeared first on Labor Today.

Longo said the big turnout at the rallies was expected. She highlighted the strong sense of working-class identity among Cubans that contributed to the turnout. “As an Amazon worker, I saw that it was like they were negotiating with their oppressor, as if we as unionists negotiate with our employer.” Longo also spoke about the “My Signature for the Homeland” petition, launched nationwide to defend Cuba. The petition denounces the U.S. blockade, energy restrictions, and threats of war, and it reaffirms the Cuban people’s right and duty to protect their national sovereignty. Over 6.2 million Cubans over the age of 16 signed the petition, which is more than 80% of the population in that age group. The petition was given to Raúl Castro to show solidarity.

Cuban law allows workers to form and join trade unions, and at least 90% of Cuban workers belong to a union. In contrast, only about 10% of American workers are union members.Longo said this strong labor-orientated organization helps Cubans link their workplace struggles to their broader fight against U.S. oppression.

Longo, as a trade unionist, saw firsthand how strong the Cuban labor movement is in facing the U.S. economic blockade. The Cuban people do not want war, but they are prepared to defend their country.

One can add their signature in support for Cuba at: https://www.firmoporcuba.com. By Jerry Ginsburg

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 1 first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Cuban Labor Mobilizes Against Invasion Part 1 appeared first on Labor Today.

American trade unionists give solidarity to Mexican educators on strike — those who are on strike for better working conditions and not those infiltrating the movement at an opportunistic time to attack President Sheinbaum Pardo in light of calls for violence from the Mexican ultraright, like Carlos Salinas Pliego, and allies of the regime of President Donald Trump.

The post WFTU-FISE Supports the national strike of teachers in Mexico first appeared on Labor Today.

The post WFTU-FISE Supports the national strike of teachers in Mexico appeared first on Labor Today.

The union, named Nuemos Workers United (NWU) began their organizing drive with a rigorous internal petition signed by over 50 staff members (over 75% of workplace representation) listing demands to improve working conditions. The list of demands includes holding the employer accountable to comply with federal, state, and municipal labor laws, better pay compensation with a base rate of $30 an hour (including proportional raises) and safer staffing practices.

As service industry workers continue to form new unions and agitate against abject poverty and abuse from the bosses, the workers of NWU are a welcome addition to the fight for a stronger labor movement in the heart of Seattle, a bastion of the organized labor in the Pacific Northwest.

NWU is seeking community support. For more information, visit @nuemosworkers on Instagram.

The post Concert Venue Workers in Seattle Announce Organizing Drive first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Concert Venue Workers in Seattle Announce Organizing Drive appeared first on Labor Today.

“We are united in our determination to win a fair contract, and we won’t back down until President Tarhule’s team comes to the table and treats us with the respect we deserve.”

After striking for nearly a month, Local 1110 won pay increases and retroactive pay for workers and guaranteed minimum pay increases to follow through 2030. Overall, the victory constitutes a nearly 17% wage increase over the terms of the newly settled contract.

ISU administration had a long history of poor treatment of Local 1110 workers had long who had been earning substandard wages and denied dignity due to the perceived low status of their work in food service and sanitation. Once the strike was on, students and parents were sure to take notice when the trash piled up and the meal service was cut short after the workers walked off the job to join the growing picket lines forming around ISU front offices. Many appealed to the university as the strike interrupted the basic functions of university living and learning. The workers were joined by faculty members as they held the line for fair pay and long overdue respect. Elected officials took notice as a coalition of students, parents, faculty and community members marched with Local 1110, a group totaling 6,000, to the rally held outside administrations offices.

ISU administrators has been aware of the Union’s reasonable contract conditions since back in February, but chose to ignore the worker’s petitions, resulting in undelivered services to students and a disruption of student life and learning on the ISU campus. Only after months of stalling tactics failed to scatter union solidarity, the administration resorted to breaking the law before finally honoring their employees and agreeing to their collective demands. As negotiations ran afoul, the union had filed lawsuits against the university for unfair labor practices, which will be dropped by as part of the settlement.

The strike paid off. It drew in the support of local lawmakers and stakeholders who joined local 1110 against the illegal and immoral treatment by the ISU administration. Ratifying the new contract, more than 95% of workers voted Yes.

The post AFSCME 31 Local 1110 Strikes and Wins first appeared on Labor Today.

The post AFSCME 31 Local 1110 Strikes and Wins appeared first on Labor Today.

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The post Young Trade Unionists Celebrate Working Mothers appeared first on Labor Today.

Hiding work is central to union-busting. Employers have used multiple underhanded and easily glossed over tactics to deter workers from organizing and joining unions. Even though the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 makes union-busting illegal companies still find ways to go around federal and state laws.

Employers regularly use the services of union-busting consultants and agencies. Law firms such as Jackson Lewis, who are known for union-building, to represent corporations in labor disputes, lawsuits, and union related cases. Some of their most valuable clients include Google, Amazon, and multiple universities and colleges. Companies are also known to push “astroturf campaigns”. These campaigns are manufactured movements meant to impersonate grassroot movements. The corporate organizers of these campaigns manipulate and misinform employees who are either ignorant of unions or hold misplaced resentment toward unions to spread the rhetoric of union-busting consultants and agencies to their co-workers. Employers often attempt to intimidate employees with forced one on one meetings where they are subjected to forced consumption of anti-union propaganda spewed by management and union-busting consultants. Companies have been known to make empty promises to convince employees not to organize and often use their union-busting lawyers to delay union elections and contract negotiations in an attempt to create a loss of morale amongst workers. Employers also use social media to union-bust. Corporations monitor the posts of pro-union workers, flag employees who have pro-union posts, suppress posts by reporting them as spam and hiding them from worker eyes, employers or anti-union moles will often crash online chat groups and video calls in order to spy on and intimidate union organizers, and it has also been revealed that employers will send anti-union propaganda through text messages.

There are multiple effective ways to combat employers who attempt to hide work from the union. One way is to speak to fellow workers face to face whether it be in or outside of work. Human interaction is one of the oldest and most effective ways of organizing and spreading awareness. An important tool to use to fight union-busting is utilizing the press. Using news releases and press conferences help gain massive public support against anti-union movements and campaigns. Another tactic is using text messaging to contact co-workers in order to spread information and organize. Finally using online campaigning to expose corporate misformation and propaganda, bring attention to the shady union-busting tactics used by employers, secretly conducting investigations into the underhanded motives of companies, studying up on workers’ rights, keeping track of and documenting violations conducted by employers, and capturing the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) attention and getting them on your side.

As workers we must maintain pride and dignity and recognize that we are the foundations to all corporations around the country and deserving of workers’ rights, especially the right to unionize and organize. Like a hand, its individual fingers are weak and easily broken, but when those fingers come together into a fist its strength cannot be broken and can smash through any obstacle or adversary.

The post Employers Hiding Work from the Union: How to Spot It and What To Do About It first appeared on Labor Today.

The post Employers Hiding Work from the Union: How to Spot It and What To Do About It appeared first on Labor Today.