Several loyal readers have written asking for more news on the striking Real You Electrolysis Workers United union. These workers joined IWW and went on strike in Vancouver Washington [two earlier posts- scroll down]. The workers are at Real You Electrolysis . Well, it continues. If you contributed to their gofundme you got this updateContinue reading “IWW strike in Vancouver WA- update”
Category Archives: bad employers
IWW Organizing Stories
Here are a couple of recent examples of IWW organizing on the job. These were some of the stories shared at our union’s Organizing Summit in Denver at the end of April. Bobcat Bonnie’s (Detroit) Situation: The boss closed down our restaurant and fired all of us overnight with just a single email (The businessContinue reading “IWW Organizing Stories”
UPDATE- IWW STRIKE IN VANCOUVER WA
The strike by the new IWW union at Real You Electrolysis continues. We have gotten a bit more information, and urge all readers to contribute to the strike fund. GoFundMe! tinyurl.com/yc3b78f6 Follow them at @ryeworkersunion.bsky.social#UnionStrong The new union is nearly entirely trans. They work to provide gender-affirming care to their largely trans clientele. The workersContinue reading “UPDATE- IWW STRIKE IN VANCOUVER WA”
IWW STRIKE IN VANCOUVER WASHINGTON
Portland IWW branch reports that the workers at Real You Electrolysis in Vancouver Washington organized into the IWW. The employer responded by firing everyone- this is of course illegal. In the meantime the picket line is up and the strike is on. We will update here as we have more info.
REI BOYCOTT BEGINS FRIDAY
REI workers union (including at the Bellingham store in Sehome Village, 400 36th St) are calling for a boycott during the annual Spring Sale, May 15-25. First and foremost, REI Union is asking all supporters to avoid going into any REI store for the entire two weeks of the sale. Support the workers by refusingContinue reading “REI BOYCOTT BEGINS FRIDAY”
REI Workers in Bellingham reject contract offer
On February 5, REI workers nationwide rejected a contract offer from REI Corporate with 98.5% voting against ratification. All 11 unionized REI stores voted the offer down. https://ufcw5.org/2026/02/rei-co-op-ufcw-and-rwdsu-issue-joint-statement-on-results-of-contract-vote/ In July 2025, REI Co-op and a coalition of union locals from the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Stores Union (RWDSU)Continue reading “REI Workers in Bellingham reject contract offer”
St Jo’s NURSES picket is ON!Tuesday April 22
Nurses at Bellingham’s St.Joseph Hospital rejected management’s “last, best, and final” offer yesterday. It was “pretty insulting” a nurse reported. See the 4/17 post on this website See you on the picket line!
Nurses plan picket at St. Jo’s on April 29
Excerpted from Cascadia Daily News 4-17-2025 [edited for brevity and with comments by IWW]: Nurses plan to picket outside PeaceHealth St. Joseph’sr on Tuesday, April 29, one month after rejecting a proposed contract (follow that link for more on the story- IWW). The picket is on if the hospital and union do not come toContinue reading “Nurses plan picket at St. Jo’s on April 29”
IWW strike continues in Bay Area
After two years of bad-faith bargaining by bosses, the IWW-organized workers at Berkeley retail salvager Urban Ore began a strike last week. The workers began solidarity union organizing in 2021, and in 2023 voted to join IWW for greater support and organizational structure. Wages are the principal issue. Urban Ore is somewhat similar to Bellingham’sContinue reading “IWW strike continues in Bay Area”
Fiamma Burger, Fiamme Pizza rip off their workers, says Department of Labor
This article appeared in the February 20, 2025 Bellingham Herald. Thanks to the Herald for reporting on this. We are highlighting a few items in bold to emphasize them. Federal investigation finds Bellingham restaurants owe workers $82K for OT, tip violations By Robert Mittendorf and Rachel Showalter Updated February 19, 2025 1:49 PM Rachel Weedman,Continue reading “Fiamma Burger, Fiamme Pizza rip off their workers, says Department of Labor”