Terri Gerstein

While many of us were inside with coffee or cocoa, people were *working outside* during the monster snowstorm. But no specific rules protect their workplace safety. In climate extremes - frigid cold or blistering heat - workers need protection. My latest in @thehill.com thehill.com/opinion/ener...

Two headlines from today's NYTimes: In the UK, a literal former monarch is on the verge of being held accountable. In the US, Trump pardons are letting convicted wealthy donors off the hook. The contrast, oof. We have king-like oligarchs who are above the law.

Opinion | One Man Stole $660 Million. He’ll Never Pay It Back.

Great piece: @brendanballou.bsky.social describes revolting rampant impunity for pardoned Trump donors who've stolen from workers & investors. But as he notes, Trump can only pardon federal crimes. State & local prosecutors are critical for accountability & justice. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/o...

Wisconsin accuses Burger King franchise operator of thousands of child labor violations The state's Department of Workforce Development is ordering the operator of more than 100 Wisconsin-based Burger King restaurants to pay back $237,437 in wages owed to teen employees.

Here's a story about the case. (2/2) www.wpr.org/news/wiscons...

Child labor violations, The benefits of keeping seniors social, The history of computers We examine child labor laws and violations in Wisconsin. Then, we explore the benefits of staying social and how to keep seniors engaged. And we visit a UW-Milwaukee lab that […]

Wisconsin labor enforcers recently found widespread child labor violations statewide by a large Burger King franchisee. Last week, I spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio about the case and about child labor more generally, including the need for more state action. (1/2) www.wpr.org/shows/wiscon...

I just got a fundraising text from the Kennedy child running for Congress in NY. The text says zero about his experience/qualifications. Just “my grandfather this” “my family that.” It made my support for @micahlasher.bsky.social even stronger. Micah’s smart, strategic, experienced & effective.

Bad Bunny for Vanity Fair in 2023:

“What I do, I do from my heart...I believe that every human being has the duty to have empathy for others, to help others, to respect them, to always try to contribute something to society, to bring a positive change.”

www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/0...

Pelosi to Endorse Jack Schlossberg, Again Backing a Kennedy for Congress

Pelosi’s endorsement of Schlossberg just bc he’s A Kennedy is revolting.
👉 in a democracy, we shouldn’t embrace dynasties
👉 he’s unserious at a deadly serious time
👉 @micahlasher.bsky.social who is running there is smart, strategic & bold, an extraordinary leader. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/u...

US attorney says office will not prosecute companies that cooperate in criminal probes Federal prosecutors plan to increase incentives for companies that cooperate during criminal investigations, including promises not to prosecute them, the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan said on Thursday.

The USDOL has a program allowing employers to say “my bad” do a self audit, pay what the employer decides it owes, and avoid in estimation. And federal prosecutors have decided to take it easy on corporate crimes: see this. For corporations, anything goes. (2/2) www.reuters.com/legal/govern...

Trump & Co are rolling out the red carpet for corporate crimes of all kind: environmental, financial, workplace abuses. Screw your workers, pollute the planet - it’s all good. The only enforcement this team will do involves hunting down immigrants trying to live their lives & contribute (1/2)

Show solidarity w baristas who are basically our neighbors just trying to afford their lives. Delete the Starbucks app.

PS yes I did download the app just to delete it. $9 enorme pistachio-hazelnut-truffle drinkaccinos (from union busters!) aren’t my thing. Still my point remains: #DeleteTheApp

IMAGE: a stylized cell phone with flames coming out of it. TEXT: Delete the Starbucks app off your phone. Seriously. Starbucks is the biggest violator of labor law in modern history. We have the power to tell them union-busting is bad for business. Don't shop at Starbucks until they do better by their baristas!

If Starbucks won’t respect workers at the bargaining table, they don’t deserve our clicks or orders.

Our call to action is simple:

📱 Delete the Starbucks app. #DeleteTheApp

bit.ly/deletetheapp

brass solidarity band performing “stand by me” in the streets of whittier next to alex pretti’s memorial. the crowd started chanting “the people united will never be defeated” so they incorporated it into the song. i love minneapolis

Statement from Alex Pretti's union.

A kilt would be good.

And here's a copy of the print version! (2/2)

How Mamdani can help workers using his office As nearly 15,000 NYC nurses went on strike yesterday, Mayor Mamdani showed up to demonstrate support. It’s a powerful gesture when elected leaders express public solidarity with workers’ demands, i…

How can Mamdani stand up for workers? For new laws, he needs Albany/City Council..but there’s a LOT he can do w/o them. My favorite: being a matchmaker for workers wanting to unionize & unions wanting to organize new worksites.❤️ My latest in @nydailynews.com (1/2) www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/13/h...

Statement on Ford Plant Visit from VP Laura Dickerson, Ford Department Director

🧵 The autoworker at the Dearborn Truck Plant is a proud member of a strong and fighting union—the UAW. He believes in freedom of speech, a principle we wholeheartedly embrace, and we stand with our membership in protecting their voice on the job.

over the course of 1871, congress held seven months of hearings on ku klux klan and other white vigilante violence in the south, they took detailed testimony from hundreds of black men and women attesting to klan terror. (1/?)

So excited about @juliesulabor.bsky.social & @saalevine.bsky.social taking leadership roles in NYC, as Deputy Mayor & DCWP Commissioner. I know we'll see bold action that leads to real improvements in people's lives, as well as visionary leadership showing what cities can do for working people. 🔥🔥🔥

As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis stated in 1933; “We can have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of the few, but we cannot have both.”

Today, at a time of unprecedented income & wealth inequality, his words ring truer than ever.

These East Harlem Tenants Staged a Rent Strike—And Won - City Limits Tenants in five East Harlem buildings won half a million dollars in back rent and repairs, in a settlement with their landlord over poor housing conditions. They now hope other tenants across the city...

Great story of collective action by tenants getting results against an awful landlord. (Though I must confess, I was hoping they'd own the building in the end, which didn't happen). Still, it shows how taking action jointly helps overcome fear & fight economic bullies. citylimits.org/how-these-ea...

DeWine vetoes bill allowing workers under 16 to work until 9 p.m. during school year An effort to expand the hours 14- and 15-year-old employees in Ohio can work was stymied Wednesday after Republican Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed a bill passed with overwhelming GOP support.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed a bill that would have seriously weakened child labor laws. I hope more of his GOP governor peers also stand up for common sense and for keeping children safe. And congrats to labor advocates in Ohio who pressed for this veto. www.daytondailynews.com/local/dewine...

Excellent op-ed by @richiefife.bsky.social about the need for local journalism in NYC!! It's not just local flavor - it's crucial for democracy. Local elections decide important matters that affect our lives - we need more than social media, PAC mailers, and vibes. In @nydailynews.com

If the minimum wage went up by one crisp dollar, these kids’ parents would have $250 more in the family bank account after just a few weeks of work.

No Contract, No Coffee | Starbucks Workers United Starbucks baristas brewing change. Join the movement for fair contracts, better wages, and worker protections.

Here's a website for people to sign the "No Contract, No Coffee" pledge, if you are interested. (2/2) www.nocontractnocoffee.org

I enjoyed talking with Radio Bilingue on Linea Abierta last week about the @sbworkersunited.org strike: the union's focus on better pay/benefits so Starbucks workers can pay their bills, also predictable hours so ppl can care for their families. (1/2) radiobilingue.org/en/news/why-...

Someone took issue with me describing NYC as my hometown when I wasn’t born/raised here. Well…
1)i It’s a city of newcomers who become native New Yorkers. Thats what NYC is.
2) I raised 2 humans from birth to adulthood here. I think that’s another way of making someplace your hometown.

NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announces transition committees New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani​ announced Monday the creation of 17 transition advisory committees made up of more than 400 people.

I’m honored to serve on Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Worker Justice transition committee. Cities everywhere have so much untapped potential to advance workers’ rights; I’m excited to help my beloved hometown plan bold action to support NYC's working people. www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/...

Bob you were there at the start!