Farmworker strike led to formation of the United Farm Workers union

Milwaukee, WI – Sept. 8, 2015 will mark the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the grape strike in Delano, California. On that day in 1965 the farmworkers in the Delano area went on strike to demand a raise to $1.25 per hour (the minimum wage at the time, which did not apply to farmworkers), an improvement in working conditions and for union recognition.

Milwaukee, WI – Governor Scott Walker is making his announcement to run for presidency today, July 13, in Waukesha, which is located just west of Milwaukee. Walker, a Republican, has voted against driver's licenses for undocumented people; he took away tuition equity in 2011 which allowed undocumented students to pay the same price tuition as citizen students, and he also signed to a legal challenge with 25 other governors against DAPA (Deferred Action for Parent Arrivals).

Milwaukee, WI – Around 150 members and supporters of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998, the union of Milwaukee's bus drivers, protested outside Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's $2.1 million downtown condominium, July 3. The protest was initiated by the United Workers Organization, a group of young rank-and-file union activists that was formed during the fight against ‘right to work’ earlier this year.

Milwaukee, WI – On the second day of a work stoppage called by the Amalgamated Transit Union 998, hundreds ended a day of picketing, July 2, with a rally at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The large demonstration included solidarity speeches from the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, Fight for 15, Transit Riders Union, the United Workers Organization, County Supervisors, and others.

Milwaukee County bus drivers and mechanics are boldly fighting back against the Milwaukee County Transit System and County Executive Chris Abele’s attempt to push a concessionary contract, in this era of devastating employer offenses on work conditions, benefits and collective bargaining rights.

Milwaukee, WI -The first day of the work stoppage called by Amalgamated Transit Union 998 ended with a lively picket of hundreds, July 1.

Milwaukee, WI – Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 998 started a 72-hour work stoppage this morning, July 1, at 3:00 a.m. It will go through 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, July 4. The work stoppage comes during the middle of Summerfest, billed as the largest annual music festival in the world. An average of 800,000 to 1 million people attend over 11 days, with an estimated 15 to 20% of festival-goers taking public transportation.

Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Country bus drivers, members of Amalgamated Transit Union 998, voted overwhelmingly to reject their contract and strike, June 29.

Milwaukee, WI – More than 50 youth, teachers and community members gathered outside the Hefner Conference Center, June 25, to let County Executive Chris Abele know that Milwaukee does not support his attacks against our working class-communities. Abele was participating in a $20 a head 'public' luncheon at the extravagant UWM-owned mansion to answer questions about the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) takeover, the proposed arena deal, and his current dispute with the Milwaukee County transit union.

Milwaukee, WI – A coalition of Palestine Solidarity groups in the Milwaukee area will host an event in solidarity with Palestinian hero Rasmea Odeh. The live stream with Odeh's lawyer, Michael Deutsch, will take place at 6:00 p.m., June 11 at the People's Books Co-op, located at 804 E. Center Street in Milwaukee.