In Pics | Hotel workers in one of the largest strikes in southern California

<p>American Airlines pilots have overwhelmingly voted in favour of their labour union to strike work, while the company has claimed that negotiations with the union are underway. The results of the vote were announced on Monday (May 1). However, reports suggest that no walk-offs are imminent as pilot strikes are rare and require federal National Mediation Board permission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Why are the pilots considering a strike?</strong></p>

<p>The union, Allied Pilots Association (APA), said that more than 96 per cent of American pilots participated in the vote, out of which 99 per cent have allowed the union to call a strike. The vote came after the talks for a new deal dragged on, in March.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Today marks a proud milestone in our pilot group’s unity and resolve and an important step on our path to securing the contract we have earned and deserve — one that prevents management from operating at a discount to our competitors and includes our ‘must have’ quality-of-life priorities,” APA president Captain Ed Sicher wrote to pilots Monday, as quoted by CNBC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Sicher has also said that his members are ready to strike if necessary but reaching a contract agreement is still in the realm of possibility.</p>

<p>The association represents more than 15,000 American Airlines pilots. It has sought not only increases in pay but quality-of-life improvements, like better and predictable schedules after the travel and aviation industry witnessed a rise in demand as Covid-related restrictions were eased.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, reports suggest that pilot contract negotiations across the industry have recently faced difficulty and that American Airlines is not the only one. As pilots for Southwest Airlines might also soon begin voting on a similar strike authorisation later this month.</p>

<p><strong>What did the airline say?</strong></p>

<p>American Airlines told Wall Street Journal that the company believes that it will reach an agreement with the pilots’ union soon and that the vote indicates pilots’ sense of urgency heading into negotiations. “The finish line is in sight,” an American Airline spokeswoman told Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We understand that a strike authorisation vote is one of the important ways pilots express their desire to get a deal done and we respect the message of voting results,” she added. This also comes after American Airlines CEO Robert Isom had said they were ready to raise their pilots’ pay to match their competition Delta Airlines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this year, Delta’s pilots approved a four-year deal which included a pay raise of 34 per cent and other improvements.<br />
<br />
Citing the recent contract proposal, CNBC reported that if the union accepted a potential four-year deal, American Airlines pilots would receive higher 401(k) contributions while a captain flying narrow-body planes would make $475,000 while the most senior captains of wide-body planes would make $590,000 per year. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


American Airlines pilots have overwhelmingly voted in favour of their labour union to strike work, while the company has claimed that negotiations with the union are underway.

American Airlines pilots have overwhelmingly voted in favour of their labour union to strike work, while the company has claimed that negotiations with the union are underway. The results of the vote were announced on Monday (May 1). However, reports suggest that no walk-offs are imminent as pilot strikes are rare and require federal National Mediation Board permission. Why are the pilots considering a strike? The union, Allied Pilots Association (APA), said that more than 96 per cent of American pilots participated in the vote, out of which 99 per cent have allowed the union to call a strike. The vote came after the talks for a new deal dragged on, in March. “Today marks a proud milestone in our pilot group’s unity and resolve and an important step on our path to securing the contract we have earned and deserve — one that prevents management from operating at a discount to our competitors and includes our ‘must have’ quality-of-life priorities,” APA president Captain Ed Sicher wrote to pilots Monday, as quoted by CNBC. However, Sicher has also said that his members are ready to strike if necessary but reaching a contract agreement is still in the realm of possibility. The association represents more than 15,000 American Airlines pilots. It has sought not only increases in pay but quality-of-life improvements, like better and predictable schedules after the travel and aviation industry witnessed a rise in demand as Covid-related restrictions were eased. Meanwhile, reports suggest that pilot contract negotiations across the industry have recently faced difficulty and that American Airlines is not the only one. As pilots for Southwest Airlines might also soon begin voting on a similar strike authorisation later this month. What did the airline say? American Airlines told Wall Street Journal that the company believes that it will reach an agreement with the pilots’ union soon and that the vote indicates pilots’ sense of urgency heading into negotiations. “The finish line is in sight,” an American Airline spokeswoman told Wall Street Journal. “We understand that a strike authorisation vote is one of the important ways pilots express their desire to get a deal done and we respect the message of voting results,” she added. This also comes after American Airlines CEO Robert Isom had said they were ready to raise their pilots’ pay to match their competition Delta Airlines. Earlier this year, Delta’s pilots approved a four-year deal which included a pay raise of 34 per cent and other improvements. Citing the recent contract proposal, CNBC reported that if the union accepted a potential four-year deal, American Airlines pilots would receive higher 401(k) contributions while a captain flying narrow-body planes would make $475,000 while the most senior captains of wide-body planes would make $590,000 per year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

American Airlines pilots union votes in favour of strike; company says negotiations underway

<p>All passenger flights from Germany’s Berlin Brandenburg airport which are scheduled to take off and land, on Wednesday (January 25) have either been cancelled or rescheduled due to a labour strike over a wage dispute. At least 300 flights and as many as 35,000 passengers scheduled to pass through the airport have been affected, as per media reports. It is also the first time since 2018 that strikes have led to so many flight cancellations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“We hope that the pressure is enough,”&nbsp;said Enrico Ruemker, a representative of the trade union Verdi, that organised the strike. He added, “When you see how high the inflation rate is and consider that the colleagues from this area have not had a salary increase for many, many years, this offer is of course a slap in the face for the colleagues,”&nbsp;reported Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The walkout began at 3:30 am (local time) when several workers gathered in front of the main terminal building of the airport for a strike which was set to last throughout the day. Meanwhile, the airlines have rescheduled some flights for Thursday and others have been diverted to the country’s other airports in Dresden and Leipzig.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The trade union called on airport staff in ground services, aviation security and the airport company for a one-day stoppage over a wage dispute across three parallels over what they reportedly&nbsp;described&nbsp;as insufficient progress in the talks. As many as 1,500 workers are expected to participate in the strikes, the union had previously said, as per DW.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Ruemker, the airport company had proposed a two-year term under which salaries would increase by three per cent on June 1 and by an additional two per cent on May 1, 2024. Meanwhile, the trade union has demanded a 12-month collective bargaining contract under which airport employees and the ground handling services would receive a monthly hike of $540 in their salaries. On the other hand, employers have proposed a much longer contract.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


All passenger flights from Germany’s Berlin Brandenburg airport which are scheduled to take off and land, on Wednesday (January 25) have either been cancelled or rescheduled due to a labour strike over a wage dispute.

All passenger flights from Germany’s Berlin Brandenburg airport which are scheduled to take off and land, on Wednesday (January 25) have either been cancelled or rescheduled due to a labour strike over a wage dispute. At least 300 flights and as many as 35,000 passengers scheduled to pass through the airport have been affected, as per media reports. It is also the first time since 2018 that strikes have led to so many flight cancellations. “We hope that the pressure is enough,” said Enrico Ruemker, a representative of the trade union Verdi, that organised the strike. He added, “When you see how high the inflation rate is and consider that the colleagues from this area have not had a salary increase for many, many years, this offer is of course a slap in the face for the colleagues,” reported Reuters. The walkout began at 3:30 am (local time) when several workers gathered in front of the main terminal building of the airport for a strike which was set to last throughout the day. Meanwhile, the airlines have rescheduled some flights for Thursday and others have been diverted to the country’s other airports in Dresden and Leipzig. The trade union called on airport staff in ground services, aviation security and the airport company for a one-day stoppage over a wage dispute across three parallels over what they reportedly described as insufficient progress in the talks. As many as 1,500 workers are expected to participate in the strikes, the union had previously said, as per DW. According to Ruemker, the airport company had proposed a two-year term under which salaries would increase by three per cent on June 1 and by an additional two per cent on May 1, 2024. Meanwhile, the trade union has demanded a 12-month collective bargaining contract under which airport employees and the ground handling services would receive a monthly hike of $540 in their salaries. On the other hand, employers have proposed a much longer contract. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Germany: Over 300 flights at Berlin’s Brandenburg airport impacted due to labour strike

<p>Strikes are common in India. As recently as 2nd September of this year, India witnessed a massive labour strike. Trade Unions from the Left and the Centre organised the strike, protesting the &quot;anti-labour policies&quot; of the government. The strike, going by numbers, was a big success and was widely covered in the national and international press. Friends in social media, especially those who are Left-leaning like me, shared the news reports. It was apparently a moment of Leftist triumph.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I could not support the strike. This is not because of the rightwing middle-class &ldquo;no more bandh&rdquo; position, but rather because I was not sure whether the &ldquo;strike&rdquo; as a tactical move benefits the workers in the present Indian situation. In the game of chess between the workers and the ruling elite, I am not sure whether the workers gain much from a one-day display of defiance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>In the game of chess between the workers and the ruling elite, I am not sure whether the workers gain much from a one-day display of defiance</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In the game of chess between the workers and the ruling elite, I am not sure whether the workers gain much from a one-day display of defiance" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Strikes could count as a temporary &ldquo;high&rdquo; but we need to ask &ndash; in concrete terms - how did the workers benefit from the strike? This does not mean, just to clarify myself once more, strikes should never take place, but my question is whether it served the interest of the working class. Where is the impact assessment, if I may be allowed to use a development sector jargon.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In all probability, strike as a tactic works well in a situation where the working class is in a head-to-head confrontational position with a clearly identifiable ruling class. You hit them where it&nbsp;hurts the most &ndash; profit. Unfortunately, in the present context, the situation is much more complex. The big bourgeoisie and Government of India know how to manage the loss resulting from a one-day strike. They also know that Trade Unions do not have the capacity to continue a strike for so long that the interests of the big bourgeoisie would be seriously hurt. This is because the interest of the workers would be hurt long before the bourgeoisie is in danger.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Trade Unions do not have the capacity to continue a strike for so long that the interests of the big bourgeoisie would be seriously hurt</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Trade Unions do not have the capacity to continue a strike for so long that the interests of the big bourgeoisie would be seriously hurt" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This brings me to one the central paradox of working class politics and, indeed, Left politics in India today: the well-being of the workers depends on the health of the industrial sector itself. If factories close down and if industrial units become sick, the workers do not stand to win. This is because a revolutionary takeover of the state apparatus is currently out of question. A Bolshevik revolution is certainly not likely in India in the near future. Strikes, therefore, become tokenistic and in all probability does not help the working class.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Left politics in India, therefore, has to find its footing in a non-traditional terrain. It has to work towards both industrial development and protecting the rights of the workers. Perhaps, the jute industry of West Bengal can be taken up as an example to illustrate what I mean.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, I had the opportunity of joining a <a href="https://www.academia.edu/28141068/JUTE_MILL_WORKERS_OF_WEST_BENGAL_A_Situational_Analysis_towards_Enhancing_their_Wellbeing">study team </a>which investigated the present condition of the jute workers of West Bengal. The context of the study was a request from National Jute Board to look at the present situation of the workers of the Jute industry in West Bengal and suggest possible solutions. The researchers carried out a sample survey of 500 households in 10 jute mills and followed it up with qualitative analysis through field visits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>They found that although there are many government welfare schemes which can benefit the household, the workers are mostly not aware of them</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=They found that although there are many government welfare schemes which can benefit the household, the workers are mostly not aware of them" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study team found something interesting. They found that although there are many government welfare schemes which can benefit the household, the workers are mostly not aware of them. By availing these schemes, the households can improve their living conditions but there is a gap between the service providers and the households. To take just a few examples &ndash; the survey found that 68.8 per cent of the households does not have any life insurance. Yet, there are not so desperately poor as to not have a life insurance policy. The problem is more of knowledge and linkage rather than absolute lack of money. Similarly, they are not confident about going to the banks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The women of the households, the study found, were not organised in Self Help Groups and not linked to national programmes, such as National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). This is again because of lack of knowledge and confidence rather than matters strictly economic. Awareness on schemes such as Kanyashree of West Bengal was also low. Clearly, neither the employers nor the Trade Unions has made much of an attempt to bridge these gaps.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the non-traditional domain of the Left politics that I wish to point out. This is where they can play a vital role. By linking the working class families with the welfare measures that are already available, Trade Unions can seriously make a difference. Similarly, they can also make specific demands based on in-depth empirical investigations. For example, jute mills have a lot of lands, and it is possible to provide better housing facilities by re-thinking the design of the quarters. The quarters were built long back and were meant for individuals. Today they are housing families. Needless to say, they need to be re-structured.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>By linking the working class families with the welfare measures that are already available, Trade Unions can seriously make a difference.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=By linking the working class families with the welfare measures that are already available, Trade Unions can seriously make a difference. " target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Leftist thinkers need to research on how the industry itself can be rejuvenated. Would modernisation of equipment help? Is it possible to improve the working environment with better technology? How is possible to provide year-round work so that workers feel attracted towards the industry? At present many are preferring the uncertainty of the informal sector rather than joining the jute industry because the former provides the workers with many facilities, such as access to hospitals run by the Employees&#39; State Insurance Corporation. These are the questions that Left intellectuals must explore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is, of course, a powerful counter-argument &ndash; this is a mere social democratic approach. Capitalism with a human face. I agree. Such a move lacks the drama and the glamour of a revolutionary change, the news value of a nation-wide strike. Marx probably would have laughed it off. But then, should the workers eternally wait for another 1917? I wish Marx was here to discuss the jute mills of West Bengal. It would have been fun to go to the field with him. In his absence, unfortunately, we have to think on our own.&nbsp;</p>


Left politics in India has to work towards both industrial development and protecting the rights of the workers

Strikes are common in India. As recently as 2nd September of this year, India witnessed a massive labour strike. Trade Unions from the Left and the Centre organised the strike, protesting the "anti-labour policies" of the government. The strike, going by numbers, was a big success and was widely covered in the national and international press. Friends in social media, especially those who are Left-leaning like me, shared the news reports. It was apparently a moment of Leftist triumph. Unfortunately, I could not support the strike. This is not because of the rightwing middle-class “no more bandh” position, but rather because I was not sure whether the “strike” as a tactical move benefits the workers in the present Indian situation. In the game of chess between the workers and the ruling elite, I am not sure whether the workers gain much from a one-day display of defiance. In the game of chess between the workers and the ruling elite, I am not sure whether the workers gain much from a one-day display of defiance × Strikes could count as a temporary “high” but we need to ask – in concrete terms - how did the workers benefit from the strike? This does not mean, just to clarify myself once more, strikes should never take place, but my question is whether it served the interest of the working class. Where is the impact assessment, if I may be allowed to use a development sector jargon. In all probability, strike as a tactic works well in a situation where the working class is in a head-to-head confrontational position with a clearly identifiable ruling class. You hit them where it hurts the most – profit. Unfortunately, in the present context, the situation is much more complex. The big bourgeoisie and Government of India know how to manage the loss resulting from a one-day strike. They also know that Trade Unions do not have the capacity to continue a strike for so long that the interests of the big bourgeoisie would be seriously hurt. This is because the interest of the workers would be hurt long before the bourgeoisie is in danger. Trade Unions do not have the capacity to continue a strike for so long that the interests of the big bourgeoisie would be seriously hurt × This brings me to one the central paradox of working class politics and, indeed, Left politics in India today: the well-being of the workers depends on the health of the industrial sector itself. If factories close down and if industrial units become sick, the workers do not stand to win. This is because a revolutionary takeover of the state apparatus is currently out of question. A Bolshevik revolution is certainly not likely in India in the near future. Strikes, therefore, become tokenistic and in all probability does not help the working class. Left politics in India, therefore, has to find its footing in a non-traditional terrain. It has to work towards both industrial development and protecting the rights of the workers. Perhaps, the jute industry of West Bengal can be taken up as an example to illustrate what I mean. Recently, I had the opportunity of joining a study team which investigated the present condition of the jute workers of West Bengal. The context of the study was a request from National Jute Board to look at the present situation of the workers of the Jute industry in West Bengal and suggest possible solutions. The researchers carried out a sample survey of 500 households in 10 jute mills and followed it up with qualitative analysis through field visits. They found that although there are many government welfare schemes which can benefit the household, the workers are mostly not aware of them × The study team found something interesting. They found that although there are many government welfare schemes which can benefit the household, the workers are mostly not aware of them. By availing these schemes, the households can improve their living conditions but there is a gap between the service providers and the households. To take just a few examples – the survey found that 68.8 per cent of the households does not have any life insurance. Yet, there are not so desperately poor as to not have a life insurance policy. The problem is more of knowledge and linkage rather than absolute lack of money. Similarly, they are not confident about going to the banks. The women of the households, the study found, were not organised in Self Help Groups and not linked to national programmes, such as National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). This is again because of lack of knowledge and confidence rather than matters strictly economic. Awareness on schemes such as Kanyashree of West Bengal was also low. Clearly, neither the employers nor the Trade Unions has made much of an attempt to bridge these gaps. This is the non-traditional domain of the Left politics that I wish to point out. This is where they can play a vital role. By linking the working class families with the welfare measures that are already available, Trade Unions can seriously make a difference. Similarly, they can also make specific demands based on in-depth empirical investigations. For example, jute mills have a lot of lands, and it is possible to provide better housing facilities by re-thinking the design of the quarters. The quarters were built long back and were meant for individuals. Today they are housing families. Needless to say, they need to be re-structured. By linking the working class families with the welfare measures that are already available, Trade Unions can seriously make a difference. × However, Leftist thinkers need to research on how the industry itself can be rejuvenated. Would modernisation of equipment help? Is it possible to improve the working environment with better technology? How is possible to provide year-round work so that workers feel attracted towards the industry? At present many are preferring the uncertainty of the informal sector rather than joining the jute industry because the former provides the workers with many facilities, such as access to hospitals run by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation. These are the questions that Left intellectuals must explore. There is, of course, a powerful counter-argument – this is a mere social democratic approach. Capitalism with a human face. I agree. Such a move lacks the drama and the glamour of a revolutionary change, the news value of a nation-wide strike. Marx probably would have laughed it off. But then, should the workers eternally wait for another 1917? I wish Marx was here to discuss the jute mills of West Bengal. It would have been fun to go to the field with him. In his absence, unfortunately, we have to think on our own.

Labour, capital and Left movement in contemporary India

labour-strikes

Labour Strikes, News on Labour Strikes, stories on Labour Strikes, articles on Labour Strikes, Labour Strikes stories at Wion, Labour Strikes news, Labour Strikes latest news

labour strikes

In Pics | Hotel workers in one of the largest strikes in southern California

American Airlines pilots union votes in favour of strike; company says negotiations underway

Germany: Over 300 flights at Berlin’s Brandenburg airport impacted due to labour strike

Labour, capital and Left movement in contemporary India