In Chicago, a group of two hundred fifty workers have taken over a factory, after the bosses announced that they were shutting the plant down.
The management of Republic Windows & Doors factory gave workers only three days' notice that they would all be fired, and the plant would be closed.
The workers decided to employ a tactic made popular during the Great Depression, by occupying the factory for the last three days.
KBOO's Jenka Soderberg spoke with Nelson Lichtenstein, a professor of History at the University of California who has written extensively on the history of organized labor in the US.
 

Today marks the 6-month anniversary of Portland’s day labor center on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
While workers have been enthusiastic about using the center, employers have been slow to catch on to the idea.
The group has spent some of their contract money to build a new structure next to their portable trailer at the site, to shelter some of the workers from the weather, as they wait.
The center was originally conceived to get workers off street corners and into a central, clean and safe space.
It has become a target of anti-immigration protesters, who have picketed outside and even attacked workers.

The United Auto Workers agreed this week to adjust their contracts with the Big Three Auto Companies.
The Union made the move to try to convince Congress that the Auto industry deserves financial aid.
But many members of Congress remained skeptical about a bailout package for the auto industry.
Senator Chris Dodd grilled executives in a hearing on Capitol Hill this afternoon, saying that the Federal Reserve could help the industry without a direct bailout package.
KBOO's Jenka Soderberg spoke with Al Benchich, an auto worker and union member from Detroit who is heading to Washington as part of a worker's caravan this weekend.

Hosted by Clayton Morgareidge, the topics on this show include
•    the music and politics of John Lennon,
•    two movies about Harvey Milk
•    the hearts and minds of anti-gay marriage voters, and
•    the auto industry bailout. 

You can hear the whole show by clicking on the arrow above, or separate pieces by following the links above.  

The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters is engaged in an ongoing labor dispute with the Delta Drywall Company.
Most recently, the union held a forum with students at several universities which have contracts with Delta Drywall.
Jason Sheckler is a representative of the Council of Carpenters.
 

Mark  Brenner, editor of  Labor Notes, talks with the  Old Mole's Bill Resnick about what will happen, and what should happen,  in the process of saving the big 3 from the consequences of their own short-sightedness. 

Then local activist Laurie King joins Bill to talk about the workers' takeover of a door manufacturing plant in Chicago and about an upcoming anti-bailout action here in Portland.

In Chicago, a group of two hundred fifty workers have taken over a factory, after the Bosses announced that they were shutting the plant down.

The management of Republic Windows & Doors factory gave workers only three days notice that they would all be fired, and the plant would be closed.

The workers decided to employ a tactic made popular during the Great Depression, by occupying the factory for the last three days.

A number of Portlanders took part in a protest in Alabama today against Drummond coal.
KBOO’s Jenka Soderberg spoke by phone with one of the participants in the protest.