The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Strike Tracker

May 15, 2023

Here are some strikes that are currently going on or have recently taken place in the U.S.

Writers’ Guild of America

Writers of movie studio shows continue on strike against the Motion Pictures and Television Producers Alliance. Popular TV shows are doing reruns. The Alliance refuses the 11,500 writers’ demands for better pay and more security against gig work.

Coca-Cola, West Virginia

Teamsters Local 175 went on strike May 9 and 10 against Coca-Cola distributors at five locations in West Virginia. The 200 drivers protested work being sent to a non-union firm.

Holland, Ohio

On May 8, UAW Local 12 struck Clarios (previously Johnson Controls), a battery maker near Toledo. The 500 workers need better pay and limits on forced overtime. The company’s contract offer was rejected by a 98% vote. “We’ve been grinding. We’ve been working. We’ve been making a lot of batteries for this company. And even with inflation and everything going on right now, they’ve been cutting our rates, cutting our wages,” a Clarios striker said.

Redding, California

More than 800 public employees of Shasta County, California, started a two week strike for a living wage. The workers of LIUNA—UPEC Local 792 work in every department of the county. New hires are desperately needed for the workloads.

Oakland, California

On May 4, 3000 teachers struck against the Oakland United School District. Issues include pay, smaller class sizes, more mental health and disability services for students, and attention to student homelessness.

Marlborough, Massachusetts

On May 8, Teamsters Local 170’s 55 school bus drivers struck the Marlborough Public Schools over contract demands including pay, benefits, pensions, and abusive scheduling practices. A tentative contract was then reached after 3 days on strike. A vote is pending.

Eastpointe, Michigan

Students at Eastpointe High School walked out of classes for an hour on May 10 to protest the unjustified firing of their principal. “My grades have improved and I don’t think she should leave,” said one. The firing happens to come four months after the principal, a union member, filed a grievance against supervision’s toxic work environment.