All articles tagged with #economic justice
Irish voters elected Catherine Connolly, a leftist and critic of NATO and Israel's actions in Gaza, as president in a landslide, reflecting some discontent with the government despite the largely ceremonial nature of the role.
The article criticizes the growing wealth inequality, highlighting the absurdity of trillionaires existing while ordinary workers struggle, and advocates for increased taxes on the wealthy, emphasizing that the time for redistribution is now, not in some distant future.
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain urged Congress to prioritize economic justice for the working class, calling it a national security risk. Fain's remarks were made during a hearing on unions' impact on working families. The UAW is currently considering tentative agreements that secure wage increases and other benefits for its members. Fain also highlighted the need for a pro-worker Congress and criticized automakers for not doing enough to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles. The hearing became heated when a Republican senator challenged a union leader to a physical fight.
United Auto Workers (UAW) members expanded their strike against the Detroit Three automakers, with workers walking out of 38 GM and Stellantis distribution facilities across the US. The strike now includes an additional 5,625 workers across 20 states, adding to the nearly 13,000 already on strike. The distribution centers, which supply parts for repairs, have been described as "underrepresented" and "left behind" by UAW President Shawn Fain. Striking workers are demanding economic justice, fair wages, and job security, highlighting the disparity between their wages and the high salaries of company executives.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) is expected to authorize a strike vote as negotiations continue with Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. The vote, although largely seen as a formality, carries more significance this year due to heated rhetoric. UAW leaders are calling for a fair contract that includes sharing profits, ensuring a just transition to electric vehicles, and resuming benefits. The automakers argue for cost control during the EV transition and competition with non-union operations. President Joe Biden has urged both sides to reach a fair agreement. The strike authorization vote is expected to be held next week, but it does not guarantee a strike will occur.
As New Hampshire considers legalizing cannabis, there are concerns that economic justice and social equity provisions are being overlooked. Unlike neighboring states Vermont and Massachusetts, New Hampshire's proposed cannabis retail sales model lacks explicit equity provisions. Advocates argue that legalization should prioritize those most impacted by the War on Drugs and that equity provisions are necessary to remedy the harm done to communities over decades. While New Hampshire decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis and allows qualifying people to annul past criminal records, advocates for legalization say those are small drops in the bucket.
William E. Spriggs, an economist who fought for racial and economic justice, died at the age of 68. He was known for highlighting racial disparities in America's economy and challenging the basic assumptions of his peers. Spriggs conducted studies on the higher unemployment rate for Black workers and how the failure to raise the federal minimum wage has disproportionately hurt workers of color. He worked in the Clinton and Obama administrations and was the chief economist for the AFL-CIO labor federation. Spriggs was a committed political activist who bridged the economic establishment and the world of activism.
Workers across Asia and Europe took to the streets on May Day to demand economic justice and better working conditions. French unions rallied against President Emmanuel Macron's move to raise the retirement age, while South Koreans demanded higher wages. In Spain, more than 70 marches were held, with unions warning of "social conflict" if salaries did not rise in line with inflation. Protests also took place in Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Lebanon. In Germany, feminist and queer groups organized a "Take Back the Night" rally to protest violence against women and LGBTQ+ people.