Greg Windle

We stand against Imperialist War and with the Iranian People. Read our statement in English, Persian, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese: dsausa.org/statements/dsa…

🚨 UAW REACHES TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH VOLKSWAGEN IN CHATTANOOGA, MARKING HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH FOR SOUTHERN AUTOWORKERS 🚨 Autoworkers at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant have won a historic tentative agreement with the company. After making history as the first Southern autoworkers outside the Big Three to join the UAW, the 3,200 workers at Volkswagen Chattanooga have won a tentative contract deal that provides 20 percent across-the-board wage increases, affordable health care, real job security, and more. After workers voted 3-to-1 to join the UAW in 2024, they elected a 20-member negotiating committee of their peers. After months of negotiations, the tentative deal marks a breakthrough for non-union autoworkers and manufacturing workers across the South. The tentative deal ensures that Volkswagen workers have a legally binding and enforceable agreement that guarantees fair pay, more affordable health care, safer working conditions, and clear protections against favoritism. “For years, Chattanooga workers were told to settle for less while Volkswagen made record profits. So, the workers stood together and won their union—and now they’ve secured a life-changing first agreement,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “This deal proves what happens when autoworkers stand up and demand their fair share. People said Southern autoworkers could never form a union or win a union contract. Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga said, ‘Watch this.’” For workers like bargaining committee co-chair Steve Cochran, a skilled trades worker and co-chair of the Bargaining Committee, the agreement represents a turning point. “A strong contract makes sure promises are delivered. Respect and security shouldn’t be up for negotiation—and now they won’t be.” The tentative agreement is especially significant given Volkswagen’s recent record-breaking profits. In 2024 alone, the world’s second-largest automaker reported $20.6 billion in profits—even as Chattanooga workers struggled under substandard health coverage and rising out-of-pocket costs. Key Wins in the Tentative Agreement: • Major Wage Increases – 20% GWI Substantial raises that begin to close the gap with industry standards and reflect Volkswagen’s record profits. • Improved High-Quality Health Care with No Increases Lower out-of-pocket costs, improved coverage, and protections that ensure no worker must choose between medical care and basic needs. • Big Bonuses Initial bonuses equaling $6,550 per worker upon ratification and additional annual bonuses of $2,550 for the life of the agreement. Thousands of dollars of additional compensation for each worker. • Job Security Protections Strong language against unilateral job cuts, shift reductions, and outsourcing—making sure VW keeps good union jobs in Chattanooga. • Stronger Health & Safety Standards Enforceable safety rules, dedicated union safety representatives, and a greater worker voice in identifying and fixing hazards on the job. • Paid Time Off & Scheduling Protections Guaranteed paid leave, fair scheduling requirements, and safeguards against forced overtime and favoritism. • Fair Discipline & Grievance Rights Clear, enforceable protections against unfair discipline and a transparent, worker-centered grievance process. • A Real Voice on the Job Rights that ensure workers have a say in day-to-day decisions that shape their work, their safety, and their future. This historic agreement reflects significant improvements over the company’s last proposal in October, including: • New product commitments • Enhanced right-to-strike protections • Key newly won Job Security agreements, including protections against outsourcing • Thousands of additional dollars of annual compensation per worker • Key Skilled Trades issues addressed •Stronger safeguards against plant closures or the sale of operations Workers will receive details of the tentative agreement in the coming days, followed by a ratification vote. “This contract is proof that if you stand up and stick together, you can win a better life,” said Kelcey Smith, a worker in the paint department. “No matter where you live, or where you work, autoworkers deserve a union contract, whether at the Big Three or Volkswagen, from Detroit to Chattanooga. Volkswagen workers are showing the whole country what’s possible.” The Chattanooga victory signals a profound shift in the Southern auto industry, as workers across the region stand up to global corporations, demand their fair share, and build a future where autoworkers—no matter where they live or what company they work for—have a collective voice and a seat at the table.

BREAKING: After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless $SBUX finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting. If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on Nov 13– the company's busiest day of the year.

Catching up on news coverage: Great overview from @whyy of @215Alliance @PhillyDSA direct action and our rally with labor and @transit4philly ! whyy.org/articles/picoz…

Okay now that it's over it's actually kind of fun that the Eagles had their second best player removed for literally the entire game and still beat the Cowboys.

Come hang out as Philly DSA's Education Justice Committee gathers in West Philly on Saturday, September 13th at 11am.

As we look forward to Labor Day, we must remember our commitment to the workers who make PA run. The day feels more important than ever as federal labor protections are under constant threat. Today, I introduced a bill to create safety measures for workers in extreme heat. 🧵

Minnesota DFL has revoked it's endorsement of Omar Fateh for Mpls mayor. Read our statement on this undemocratic, unprecedented decision. Help us build a better city by donating to TCDSA endorsed candidates: tcdsa.org/2025donate and join TCDSA today: dsausa.org/join

Tired of your job? Feeling alienated and alone at work? Wish you had a union? Join our Labor Committee and DSA elected Senator Saval’s office at the Philly DSA Socialist Job Fair—and get a job with comrades!

Talking points spotted on desks at district office of Sen. Joe Picozzi (R., Philadelphia). How he's explaining the GOP Senate plan for new SEPTA funding.

We're getting dangerously close to Roman Empire and not in a fun tiktok way reuters.com/world/americas…

2,000 Philly DSA members? Coming right up. Take the dive today. Join the largest socialist organization in the US today. dsausa.org/join

@ptadoherty In these moments with my cats, I find myself feeling simultaneously angry and proud.. like damn, they got me

In my years of life with cats I've never experienced this level of warfare. These city cats are different.

My statement on today’s shameful Senate vote. What our Commonwealth needs from its legislators is leadership, for those of us who have the honor of sitting on the Senate Floor to do our jobs and pass a budget that invests in Pennsylvania’s people and communities.

NEW POLL with @imeupolicy: Among NYC voters for Mamdani in the mayoral primary, the top-cited reasons for voting for him are: - His plans to lower costs - His plans to tax the wealthy - His support for Palestinian rights

“We make the espresso. We make the coffee. The frappuccinos and everything that brings our customers joy and happiness happen because we make it happen. And we can make it not happen, too.” Sign the No Contract, No Coffee pledge at tinyurl.com/SBWUpledge

This month, Philadelphia municipal workers, members of AFSCME District Council 33, struck for the first time in nearly 40 years - a historic event and one of the largest public sector strikes in recent memory.

Parker piles, Evans' retirement, and the end of Medicaid as we know it. It's all in this week's issue of the Philly Thorn. Check it out and subscribe for free on Substack. thephillythorn.substack.com

It’s shaping up to be a red-hot summer! 😏 Join us for a hybrid panel discussion on the historic campaign of @nycDSA mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani—what his historic win means for the left, and what it means for us here in Philadelphia.

🚨 It’s official. AFSCME DC 33 municipal workers are on strike. Tell Mayor Parker these workers deserve a fair contract today! Philly DSA is strike ready. Fill out our action form at the link in our bio.