TONY BURKE says an International Labour Conference next month will try for a new convention to protect often super-exploited workers providing services such as ride-hailing (taxis) such as Uber as well as fast food and package delivery
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Tony Burke
How underground bands formed a vital part of the struggle against white supremacy
New releases by Samba Touré, Santrofi, and Piers Faccini & Ballake Sissoko
The towering figures of the North American right and the South American left are set to clash this summer as Brazil hosts Brics, an alliance Trump is determined to smash, reports TONY BURKE
The looming Trump presidency has forced unions to rebuild their unity and strength, writes TONY BURKE, as the SEIU returns to the AFL-CIO, healing the 2005 rift over organising priorities and getting ready to fight the right together
A horn of plenty, no less!
TONY BURKE reports on growing industrial unrest as Volkswagen plans its first German plant closures in 90 years amid its struggles to gain a place in the growing EV market, putting it on a collision course with IG Metall
From the ports to the postal service, Swedish unions are outmanoeuvring Tesla in solidarity with striking mechanics — speaking to Tony Burke, IF Metall’s MARIE NEILSON explains that collective bargaining remains non-negotiable in Sweden
The Jimi Hendrix of the kora, pure Soviet guitar and North African funk
With elections coming up next month, the race is on to decide who will be the presidential successor to popular leftwinger Amlo, says TONY BURKE
TONY BURKE looks at the issues that have led to the TUC’s special taskforce on AI and the concerns of organised workers in the sectors that are already being affected by this powerful new technology
In an organising rampage, the UAW has spread to new plants and supply chain workplaces, signing up huge numbers of new members and taking on the German car giant, reports TONY BURKE
Dozens of bands withdrew from the prestigious music showcase in Texas, denouncing its sponsorship by the US Army and military ties to a defence manufacturer that arms the murderous Israeli state, reports TONY BURKE
These three companies are seeking removal of workers’ rights by arguing that the US National Labour Relations Board is unconstitutional, warns TONY BURKE
Following great news for gig economy workers and outrage from unscrupulous Aussie bosses, TONY BURKE suggests the British Labour Party should take a leaf out of the policies of its sister party Down Under
The news that the British government has put trade talks with Canada on hold marks another post-Brexit trade deal coming to nothing — so much for a ‘golden era of trade,’ writes TONY BURKE
Trade unionists from across the country and beyond are united against Javier Milei’s far-right economic reform package, writes TONY BURKE
Cuban virtuoso Omar Puente speaks to the Morning Star, and reviews of Hit The Bongo! The Latin Soul Of Tico Records and Somanti by Chouk Bwa and The Angstromers
with reporting from Tony Burke
TONY BURKE takes a look at the battle between Elon Musk's Tesla and Swedish unions determined to defend collective bargaining
The US auto workers’ union is looking to expand its membership base following successes at GM, Ford and Stellantis, writes TONY BURKE
With the future of the nation’s union model at risk from a belligerent billionaire, the strike has inspired secondary action from across the class, with even postal workers now refusing to deliver mail to Tesla Sweden, reports TONY BURKE
As the traditional hard-copy newspaper industry declines and digital content evolves in ways we could not have predicted, the demand to hold the media accountable becomes more pressing, writes TONY BURKE
TONY BURKE warns that employment and environment rights clauses have been removed from the trade deal with India
Side by side, Brazil’s future and Mali’s past
Reviews of Afrobeat Classic Gentleman by Fela Kuti and Les Symphatics de Porto Novo Benin
Self-organisation, reducing dependency on the dollar, and possibly expanding the number of member states were all up for discussion at the Brics summit in Johannesburg earlier this week, writes TONY BURKE
TONY BURKE reports on the new initiative to raise awareness among welders, GPs and employers
Reviews of Fatoumata Diawara, London Ko and Eliades Ochoas, Guajiro
Tony Burke spoke to the HDP’s HISYAR OZSOY about why Turkey’s most powerful leader since its founder may be facing defeat in the upcoming elections at the hands of a broad opposition alliance
Music with the marvellous Eritrean krar, and a prolific populariser of Andean Cumbia music in Ecuador
TONY BURKE marvels at a release of a new album by Ali Farka Toure, 16 years after his death, along with a new album of pulsating Nigerian sax lead jazz-funk
Australian unions are facing a backlash from employers following the election of the Anthony Albanese Labor government which came to power with a mandate to reform industrial relations and restore balance, reports TONY BURKE
TONY BURKE explains how unions are progressing in the North American country
New releases from Winds Of Change: Progressive Sounds Of 1973; Robert Jon & The Wreck; John Fusco
A wide range of employment and health and safety rights derived from EU law were kept after Brexit — but now we must defend these workers’ rights from the Tory bonfire, writes TONY BURKE
Pedro Lima: the revolutionary voice of 1970-80s São Tomé and Príncipe
Slovenians and Puerto Ricans find common musical cause in New York
New releases form Rory Gallagher, Man and Hugh Cornwell
Emblematic voices of Djibouti and Cuba offer, respectively, an intriguing exploration and reassuring familiarity
New releases from Hank Williams Jnr, GA-20 and Kirk Fletcher
TONY BURKE attended the congress of Turkey's largest left-wing party, the pro-Kurdish HDP, which is expected to be a power broker in any electoral coalition to take down the authoritarian regime that has ruled for almost two decades
TONY BURKE explains how new collective bargaining plans are being misrepresented by vested interests
Seminal 1970s recordings by Gabon’s Orchestre Massako reissued
by Tony Burke
New releases from John McLaughlin, Joe Satriani, and Family
The British labour movement should watch events in New Zealand carefully as a legal leap in workplace recognition is being introduced while bosses and conservatives vow to resist it, reports TONY BURKE
The Finnish paper multinational UPM is hell-bent on neutralising unions. TONY BURKE reports
TONY BURKE reports on the increasing number of instances of harassment and repression of trade union organisers
Notable rereleases of Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela, The Trojan Story, Pretty Things, Bob Dylan and The Band
Authorities are trying to scapegoat trade unions for Covid containment failures and to discourage people from protesting
Reviews of Justin Adams & Mauro Durante Still Moving, Banquet – Underground Sounds Of 1969 and Beyond The Pale Horizon – The British Progressive Pop Sounds Of 1972
Trade unionists have rejected promises of ‘access’ to the ruling Liberal Party government under their former president by wiping the slate clean and electing a new leadership with a fighting stance, writes TONY BURKE
After the government failed to include an employment Bill in the Queen’s Speech, they snuck out proposals that are nothing short of a major attack aimed at shackling trade unions, warns TONY BURKE
Engrossing account of an era when the crossover between folk and rock began
Under the latest trade deal Mexico agreed to reform its labour laws to guarantee secret-ballot votes on union representation and the right to organise freely — now cross-border worker organisation is fighting to enforce that in the state of Tamaulipas, reports TONY BURKE
Employers are taking advantage of the ongoing lockdown to slash pay and conditions. TONY BURKE explains
TONY BURKE recommends recent releases from the epicentre of kora music and desert blues
TONY BURKE welcomes news of a new suppy chain law that will strenthen the human rights due diligence obligations of German companies
Former finance minister Mathias Cormann’s anti-union and anti-environment track record is cause for concern, says TONY BURKE
TONY BURKE says the new US president is already making a positive difference in labour relations
TONY BURKE looks optimistically across the Atlantic to where a long-standing union man has been slated to become the next Labour Secretary
Treasure trove of Britain’s blues history is a testament to a pioneer’s genius and longevity
Tesla and its maverick owner may have got away with anti-worker and anti-union practices in the US, but their new factory in Germany will be a different story, writes TONY BURKE
A bout of nostalgia warms Tony Burke’s heart and soul
Unions are now committed to join with other progressive forces that are pledged to resist the annexation of the West Bank, says Tony Burke
Reviews of Beatles cover versions, Super Chiken and Terry ‘Harmonica’ Bean and King King
Global federations and unions are supporting independent unions in Belarus and calling for an end to violence, writes TONY BURKE
Rhythm ’n’ blues, gospel and boogaloo compilations
TONY BURKE has some good news for music lovers
With Nicaragua coming under increasing pressure from Washington, TONY BURKE explains why defending the country’s right to self-determination is of paramount importance
Latest releases from Dan Penn, Afel Bocoum and The Allman Betts Band
TONY BURKE of Unite reveals how coronavirus is being used to break unions in Asian garment industries – leaving workers high and dry
The Prime Minister’s pursuit of post-Brexit deals with other economies is going nowhere, reports TONY BURKE
The union-bashing ‘Ensuring Integrity’ Bill has finally been pushed off the agenda, writes TONY BURKE
Venezuela’s appeal for an emergency loan worth $US5 billion to help it tackle the coronavirus crisis has been turned down. We cannot accept this, writes Unite's TONY BURKE
Great tribute to one of rock music’s most enduring bands