Author: Olivia

I’m sorry but I’m beyond fucking tired of Europeans and other non-Americans telling us to “just riot” or violently protest for our workers rights. Don’t you think we would have by now if we could? There are so so so many obstacles in the way of a mass workers movement similar to that in France and to act as if we’re just being complacent is ridiculous. Only 11% of our workforce is represented by a union and about 30% of the population just doesn’t like them. We are far from united as a population in what we believe workers deserve so how can we riot if we don’t even know what for? Not even to mention the pure ideological indoctrination that occurs growing up in this country. People either think there’s no problems or that the problems are unfixable. In either case, the platform for which a mass protest movement…

I was laid off last week with 0 days notice (company is calling it an “unpaid vacation” and they say they expect to be back up and running by next month) and I requested the layoff notice in writing to have as documentation. That same day, I received a request to sign a release form for videos I made that have my face and voice in them. I am not technically an employee with the company, although they tell me I am without offering any benefits of employment. I’m legally a contractor who has worked with this company for years. When I asked for written notice of the layoff they were surprised that I would be looking for other employment (?!). They said they would provide the notice. Then they asked once again for me to sign the release. I told them please send the release with the notice and…

30y Male in Minnesota. Full time last 5 years. Work at a large factory, days or weeks when we have supply issues or lack of labor they offer us our choice of unpaid time or vacation. So far this year I have had to use all of my vacation just to make sure I’m making enough money every month to feed my kids. This obviously isn’t ethical, but is it illegal? It’s like they strategically place these days so our unemployment claims get denied. It can’t be normal for companies to force you to use your vacation to cover your “40 hours”.