The Worker's Wire #1

Happy Friday, everyone. Welcome to The Worker's Wire: a biweekly digest of labor headlines from around the United States. I've relaunched my irregular "Last Week in Labor" digest as this new publication, and you'll notice in the coming months that the redesign will continue—I'm working on refining sections and experimenting with the best way to present good information on the comings and goings of the American labor movement. New editions of The Worker's Wire will come out every other Friday.

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Alright, onwards to the good stuff.

Notable News in Labor

Teamsters picket multiple Amazon Locations in Southern California and Beyond

Teamsters Picket Amazon Facilities on Both Coasts Over Illegal Firings

America’s strongest and most diverse labor union

International Brotherhood of TeamstersBrian Pearlman

To see a list of picket line locations, check this out here.

Words About Work will be heading out to the picket lines in the coming days to speak with workers and provide coverage. Be sure to check out further reporting as it comes out.

After Three-Week Strike, JBS Concedes to Meatpacking Workers

After Three-Week Strike, JBS Concedes to Meatpacking Workers

Last month, 3,800 meatpacking workers in UFCW Local 7 in Greeley, Colorado launched the industry’s first major strike in 40 years. The three-week unfair labor practice strike was the first time workers had ever struck the JBS Greeley beef packing plant, one of the company’s largest. ULP charges against JBS included the illegal termination of a member of the bargaining committee and surveillance and intimidation of workers for participation in union activity.

Labor NotesPost a Comment

Trade Unionists and Political Activists from the U.S. Travel to Cuba for May Day

Trade Unionists and Political Activists from the U.S. Travel to Cuba for May Day • Trabajadores

This May Day, Havana will once again become the epicenter of international solidarity. Hundreds of activists from various nations, political affiliations, and unions will travel to Cuba in open defiance of prohibitions and threats of military aggression from the administration of Donald Trump

TrabajadoresYimel Díaz Malmierca

Coalition of More Than One Million New Jersey Union Members and Community Groups Rally Support for May Day Demonstrations

Coalition of More Than One Million New Jersey Union Members and Community Groups Rally Support for May Day Demonstrations at Newark Press Conference - Insider NJ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Coalition of More Than One Million New Jersey Union Members and Community Groups Rally Support for May Day Demonstrations at Newark Press Conference Newark, NJ — A broad coalition of labor unions and community organizations gathered Wednesday morning, April 22, 2026, at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark to announce and[...]

Insider NJ

Labor Secretary Steps Down Amid Internal Investigation

Commentary & Analysis

Black Harlem Workers Have Historically Helped Lead the Labor Movement

Black Harlem Workers Have Historically Helped Lead the Labor Movement

Let’s rebuild that tradition today.

The IndypendentLabor & Unions

Union Organizing Needs Leadership Density

Union Organizing Needs Leadership Density

Two former United Auto Workers organizers make the case for what they call a “leadership density” union organizing model. That model was central to recent UAW breakthroughs, and we should accept no substitutes in similar campaigns.

Michael Belt

How Unionization Can Solve the Crisis in College Football 

How Unionization Can Solve the Crisis in College Football

Jason Stahl joins Edge of Sports to talk about the campaign to unionize college football.

The NationDave Zirin

War Isn’t Working for American Workers

War Isn’t Working for American Workers

While Pentagon budgets have steadily increased in recent years, the arms industry has become more consolidated, more automated, and less labor-intensive. The warfare state is not an effective economic development strategy for working people.

Lorah Steichen

That's it for us this (short) edition. I look forward to expanding the Worker's Wire as we move forward into the rest of the year. Don't forget to subscribe to the newsletter to get new editions every other Friday.

In love and solidarity,

Mel