In New York, energy company Consolidated Edison has locked out its workforce after a dispute with Utility Workers of America Local 1-2. You can watch a video about the dispute below, and visit them on Facebook to post solidarity messages.

South African union confederation Cosatu argues that Cape Town stadium – built for the football World Cup – should be turned into low cost housing. The federation argues that since public funds were used to build the stadium, the poorest and most vulnerable people in society should benefit. The stadium costs millions each year to maintain. The unions’ suggestion has interesting links with the Olympic legacy in the East End of London.

Also in South Africa, local authority unions SAMWU and IMATU have won an important labour court ruling that will give workers millions in back pay. This is due to the South African Local Government Association incorrectly applying a wage agreement in 2010; the victory means tens of thousands of workers will receive backdated pay, putting extra money in their pockets.

Teachers’ unions are under assault across the world, with the latest tool in the bosses’ arsenal the ‘parent trigger‘ in the US.It allows campaigns to be launched by disaffected parents to have ‘bad’ teachers removed. In Tanzania, the teachers’ union has attacked government ministers over low pay for teachers, while in Sri Lanka there is controversy over exam results. In South Africa, many rural schools lack text books, due to government administration problems.

In Russia, thousands – including trade unionists and Occupy Moscow – have protested against that country’s entry to the WTO and consequent embrace of neoliberal economics.

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