On the Line

In a time of growing monopoly power and inequality, UFCW Local 3000 has organized militant fights against the biggest corporate giants in grocery and healthcare. Faye Guenther, the President of Local 3000 based in Washington and parts of Idaho and Oregon, has built the union to be a fierce fighting force in the region. Nationally, Faye has been a key leader in coalescing the labor movement to take a stand for a ceasefire in Gaza and support for the immigrant rights struggle. On the Line interviewed Faye about their battles against monopolies in grocery and her vision for national union organizing to resist the billionaire agenda.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has recently ratified a powerful contract with the aim of lifting up students. They have built a force field to stop the attacks from the federal government from hitting Chicago's schools, educators, and students. On the Line interviewed CTU President Stacy Davis Gates about what they won, the campaign to win it, and what lies ahead to fight the billionaire agenda. We spoke with Stacy on May Day in Chicago where the union has called for and led a national day of action to mobilize all working people against the war on the working class.

On the Line interviewed Jimmy Williams Jr, the General President of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). In this moment of political upheaval and attacks on the working class, Jimmy has been outspoken about the need to organize and fight back to defend our immigrant communities, to defend free speech, and to defend the labor movement. The political leadership of the Democratic party has failed to build any real resistance. The labor movement must step up to lead working class resistance to the billionaire agenda.

California educators have recently launched the We Can't Wait campaign, a statewide coordinated effort by educator unions covering nearly 80k educators and over one million students, making it the largest educator campaign in the country's history. Despite CA having the largest economy in the country, the state ranks 33rd for per pupil education spending. Educator unions are demanding their city, state, and federal government provide the resources needed for a quality public education system. On the Line interviewed Cassondra Curiel, President of United Educators of San Francisco, and Nathalie Hrizi, the VP of Substitutes of UESF. Both are leaders in the statewide campaign and spoke to us about how UESF and educators across the state are preparing to stand up for public education and fight for what their colleagues and students deserve.

Gene Bruskin, a long-time union organizer and anti-war activist, shares his powerful journey in building the anti-war movement within labor. He recounts the historic formation of U.S. Labor Against the War and his collaboration with Iraqi trade unionists. Gene discusses his experiences in Cuba that fostered international solidarity and highlights the successful AFL-CIO resolution against the Iraq War. He emphasizes the need for activist engagement in foreign policy and critiques U.S. defense spending, advocating for a pro-worker stance in global conflicts.

Gene Bruskin, a seasoned union organizer and anti-war activist, shares his inspiring experiences advocating for immigrant workers. He recounts the historic victory at Smithfield Foods, shedding light on the unity and courage of over 5,000 workers in their fight for dignity. Gene discusses the grassroots efforts at Harvard's laundry facility, highlighting the importance of community solidarity and trust. He emphasizes the ongoing struggles against anti-immigrant sentiments and the vital role of collective action in securing workers' rights.

From exorbitant CEO pay to three different strikes — UNITE HERE hotel workers, SAG-AFTRA video game workers, and CWA AT&T workers — in this episode of On the Line, we got everything you need to know from the labor movement this past August.

In this episode of On the Line we discuss pro-corporate courts rolling back our labor rights, the trumped up investigation into the UAW by their federal monitor, the new Disneyland contract, Boeing workers' and Bridgham and Women's nurses' strike authorization votes, and the historic letter published by 7 national unions calling on Biden to cut all U.S. aid to Israel.

In this episode of On the Line we break down Project 2025 and what its impact could mean for the labor movement beyond November.

20 years ago, over 5,000 Smithfield Foods workers in Tar Heel, NC who work at the largest hog processing plant in the world won their union. At the time, it was the most significant union victory in the private sector in over a decade. How'd they do it? In this episode of On the Line, we're joined by Gene Bruskin, Campaign Director for the Justice for Smithfield Campaign to break down the organizing method these 5,000 workers used.