Bob Bussel, Author at NW Labor Press

Honoring the Key Bridge workers

The bridge collapse highlighted that immigrants often work in hazardous occupations, with construction jobs ranking among the most dangerous.

UAW back to the head of the class

If the union movement is having a “moment,” the re-emergence of the United Auto Workers (UAW) is a big part of it.

The Fines don’t cross picket lines

Honoring a picket line is an instinctual recognition that workers waving signs outside their place of employment deserved public support.

Discord in Concord: Erasing ‘The Rebel Girl’

New Hampshire is removing a historical marker honoring labor heroine Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. As erasure of labor's story, it fits a pattern.

In defense of regulation

Unions have led the fight for strong regulations and vigorous enforcement to protect the safety and health of workers and their communities.

Rethinking the Dream

Rooted in Christian morality and a class-conscious awareness of power, King knew his dream could only be achieved with a change in the economic system.

Railroaded

Now derailed, the possible strike by 12 rail unions representing 125,000 workers would have been historic.

Living in Solidarity

On Labor Day 2022, let’s renew our vows and pledge to “live in solidarity.” Then as now, “an injury to one” must remain “the concern of all.”

They believed in what they believed in

The example set by Bunny Kuiken reminds us that the immigrant working class is an integral part of our history.

Reviving the Boycott

The consumer boycott should rejoin the use of strikes and walkouts as a form of “organized aggressive mass action” to pressure employers.

Worker justice delayed: The NLRB Blues

A recent surge in unionizing is bringing awareness to the National Labor Relations Board election process and employers' anti-union tactics.

Manchin, Sinema, Kelly: Which side are you on?

Last month's U.S. Senate derailing of President Biden’s nominee David Weil was a sobering loss for the union movement.

‘The union,’ or ‘Our union’?

When members call their organizations “the union," instead of "our union" it frames the union as an outside “third party."

Let ‘partners’ become partners

Have you noticed we don’t have workers in America anymore? Instead, we have associates, team members, crew members, and partners.

Biden’s new NLRB shows what real enforcement looks like

Under Jennifer Abruzzo, the “new sheriff in town," Amazon, Starbucks and others have learned that powerful companies are not above the law.

Don’t Mourn. Publicize.

We can get our stories told more often and more fairly if we are persistent, creative, and cultivate relationships with journalists.

Bob Bussel

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