Julie Light
@julessf.bsky.social
Badass communicator @ucblaborcenter.bsky.social, union maid, journalist, mid-life mom, social justice warrior, animal lover. From Brooklyn to SF via Managua. I can't go home again.
This is no country in which to grow old. Nor is it one in which to take care of the aged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Opinion | The People Holding Everyone Together Are Coming Apart
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This is no country in which to grow old. Nor is it one in which to take care of the aged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Democracy dies in the dark.
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Democracy dies in the dark.
Reposted by Julie Light
#BREAKING: Dozens of federal agents are on their way to the Bay Area, a source with direct knowledge of the operation tells NBC Bay Area. nbcbay.com/dw6cqFW
October 22, 2025 at 9:11 PM
#BREAKING: Dozens of federal agents are on their way to the Bay Area, a source with direct knowledge of the operation tells NBC Bay Area. nbcbay.com/dw6cqFW
Reposted by Julie Light
We all know the rent and groceries are too damn high. Now, we have the data on how that affects local working families.
Report looking at wages & economic challenges for workers & families in Alameda & Contra Costa Counties during the recovery from the COVID-19 recession. Workers had real wage growth, but many still struggled to make ends meet in 2021-2023. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/state-of-wor...
The State of Working East Bay, 2021-2023
This report is the second in a series of reports looking at wages, living conditions, and economic challenges for workers and their families in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It finds that while E...
laborcenter.berkeley.edu
October 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
We all know the rent and groceries are too damn high. Now, we have the data on how that affects local working families.
Reposted by Julie Light
We will miss our steadfast partner and friend. Our hearts go out to his family, our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center, and all who were touched by him. We salute a life well lived. Rest in power, Kent Wong.
laborcenter.berkeley.edu/the-uc-berke...
laborcenter.berkeley.edu/the-uc-berke...
The UC Berkeley Labor Center Mourns the Loss of Friend and Colleague Kent Wong
The Labor Center is deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time colleague and friend, Kent Wong, project director for labor and community partnerships and former director of our sister labor cente...
laborcenter.berkeley.edu
October 10, 2025 at 6:06 PM
We will miss our steadfast partner and friend. Our hearts go out to his family, our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center, and all who were touched by him. We salute a life well lived. Rest in power, Kent Wong.
laborcenter.berkeley.edu/the-uc-berke...
laborcenter.berkeley.edu/the-uc-berke...
Reposted by Julie Light
Kent Wong was a fighter, a thinker, an educator whose compassion and sense of justice was always a beacon of light. We are deeply saddened to share this news and extend our love and condolences to Kent’s family, colleagues and students.
Rest in power Kent.
Rest in power Kent.
October 9, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Kent Wong was a fighter, a thinker, an educator whose compassion and sense of justice was always a beacon of light. We are deeply saddened to share this news and extend our love and condolences to Kent’s family, colleagues and students.
Rest in power Kent.
Rest in power Kent.
Reposted by Julie Light
UFCW 324 remembers a true champion of workers’ rights and a giant in the fight for a more just world, Kent Wong. As the longtime director of the UCLA Labor Center, Kent nurtured new generations of labor leaders. Our hearts are heavy with this loss to the labor movement.
October 9, 2025 at 1:46 AM
UFCW 324 remembers a true champion of workers’ rights and a giant in the fight for a more just world, Kent Wong. As the longtime director of the UCLA Labor Center, Kent nurtured new generations of labor leaders. Our hearts are heavy with this loss to the labor movement.
Reposted by Julie Light
The UC Berkeley Labor Center mourns Kent Wong, our longtime colleague and friend. A passionate champion for workers—especially immigrants—and students, Kent dedicated his life to justice. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center.
October 9, 2025 at 1:40 AM
The UC Berkeley Labor Center mourns Kent Wong, our longtime colleague and friend. A passionate champion for workers—especially immigrants—and students, Kent dedicated his life to justice. Our hearts are with our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center.
Reposted by Julie Light
"Can we talk for a minute about what we as educators, what we as an education union must do at this critical time to protect our kids and our communities?" — @cftunion.bsky.social's Kent Wong #TEACH25
July 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
"Can we talk for a minute about what we as educators, what we as an education union must do at this critical time to protect our kids and our communities?" — @cftunion.bsky.social's Kent Wong #TEACH25
Reposted by Julie Light
How did LA go from being a notorious anti-worker city to a stronghold of labor power?
Listen to this re-air of my interview with Kent Wong of UCLA Labor Ctr on What’s Next, Los Angeles. Brought to you in partnership with @laforward.bsky.social . whatsnextlosangeles.buzzsprout.com
Listen to this re-air of my interview with Kent Wong of UCLA Labor Ctr on What’s Next, Los Angeles. Brought to you in partnership with @laforward.bsky.social . whatsnextlosangeles.buzzsprout.com
September 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
How did LA go from being a notorious anti-worker city to a stronghold of labor power?
Listen to this re-air of my interview with Kent Wong of UCLA Labor Ctr on What’s Next, Los Angeles. Brought to you in partnership with @laforward.bsky.social . whatsnextlosangeles.buzzsprout.com
Listen to this re-air of my interview with Kent Wong of UCLA Labor Ctr on What’s Next, Los Angeles. Brought to you in partnership with @laforward.bsky.social . whatsnextlosangeles.buzzsprout.com
Reposted by Julie Light
UFW mourns the passing of our brother Kent Wong. Please watch Kent speak in beautiful short video connecting his time with UFW to his view of the importance of solidary across labor and race and cultural backgrounds.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODkU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODkU...
Kent Wong on Solidarity: action
YouTube video by W.K. Kellogg Foundation
www.youtube.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:45 PM
UFW mourns the passing of our brother Kent Wong. Please watch Kent speak in beautiful short video connecting his time with UFW to his view of the importance of solidary across labor and race and cultural backgrounds.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODkU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODkU...
We all know the rent and groceries are too damn high. Now, we have the data on how that affects local working families.
Report looking at wages & economic challenges for workers & families in Alameda & Contra Costa Counties during the recovery from the COVID-19 recession. Workers had real wage growth, but many still struggled to make ends meet in 2021-2023. laborcenter.berkeley.edu/state-of-wor...
The State of Working East Bay, 2021-2023
This report is the second in a series of reports looking at wages, living conditions, and economic challenges for workers and their families in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. It finds that while E...
laborcenter.berkeley.edu
October 7, 2025 at 11:02 PM
We all know the rent and groceries are too damn high. Now, we have the data on how that affects local working families.
Reposted by Julie Light
OMG YESSSSSS 🙌🙌
September 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
OMG YESSSSSS 🙌🙌
Reposted by Julie Light
🚨: Today’s the last day to submit public comment to DHS to protect journalist visas!
So far, over 700 people have used our link to make their voices heard.
➡️Submit your public comment here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stan...
So far, over 700 people have used our link to make their voices heard.
➡️Submit your public comment here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stan...
September 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
🚨: Today’s the last day to submit public comment to DHS to protect journalist visas!
So far, over 700 people have used our link to make their voices heard.
➡️Submit your public comment here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stan...
So far, over 700 people have used our link to make their voices heard.
➡️Submit your public comment here:
actionnetwork.org/letters/stan...
Reposted by Julie Light
Pete Hegseth, the same guy who texted classified war plans to a reporter, wants to decide what the media can report at the Pentagon.
The First Amendment is clear: the government cannot stop a free press.
This order is unconstitutional and un-American.
The First Amendment is clear: the government cannot stop a free press.
This order is unconstitutional and un-American.
September 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Pete Hegseth, the same guy who texted classified war plans to a reporter, wants to decide what the media can report at the Pentagon.
The First Amendment is clear: the government cannot stop a free press.
This order is unconstitutional and un-American.
The First Amendment is clear: the government cannot stop a free press.
This order is unconstitutional and un-American.
Reposted by Julie Light
Freelance illustration gigs drying up. Ad agencies using Midjourney instead of hiring human artists. Costume design turned over to AI wholesale. Good work vanishing.
These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
Artists are losing work, wages, and hope as bosses and clients embrace AI
Visual artists, illustrators and graphic designers share their stories about how AI is being used to lower wages, degrade work and even replace it altogether, in this installment of AI Killed My Job.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
September 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Freelance illustration gigs drying up. Ad agencies using Midjourney instead of hiring human artists. Costume design turned over to AI wholesale. Good work vanishing.
These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
These are the stories of working visual artists, who describe losing jobs, wages, and hope as their clients and bosses embrace AI.
Reposted by Julie Light
This is the third installment in the AI Killed My Job series, after tech workers and translators. It focuses on visual artists, illustrators, and graphic designers.
I received so many submissions from visual artists that I couldn't include them all, and, just a word of warning, some are very bleak.
I received so many submissions from visual artists that I couldn't include them all, and, just a word of warning, some are very bleak.
September 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
This is the third installment in the AI Killed My Job series, after tech workers and translators. It focuses on visual artists, illustrators, and graphic designers.
I received so many submissions from visual artists that I couldn't include them all, and, just a word of warning, some are very bleak.
I received so many submissions from visual artists that I couldn't include them all, and, just a word of warning, some are very bleak.
Reposted by Julie Light
Andrew Miller said transnational criminal networks involved in drug, gold & timber trafficking have become a major force behind threats—& often deadly attacks—against enviro. defenders. "The security situation for defenders across the Amazon is increasingly precarious.” apnews.com/article/envi...
120 land and environmental defenders killed or disappeared in Latin America last year, report finds
A report by Global Witness reveals that at least 146 land and environmental defenders have been killed or gone missing worldwide in 2024.
apnews.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Andrew Miller said transnational criminal networks involved in drug, gold & timber trafficking have become a major force behind threats—& often deadly attacks—against enviro. defenders. "The security situation for defenders across the Amazon is increasingly precarious.” apnews.com/article/envi...
Great work by my Labor Center colleagues. Security guards protect many of NYC's iconic buildings--and their inhabitants--but often can't support themselves and their families.
www.amny.com/lifestyle/ci...
www.amny.com/lifestyle/ci...
NYC security guards making a fraction of a livable wage, study finds | amNewYork
A new study of New York City security guards paints a picture of workers wearing shiny uniforms who are facing financial insecurity due to low wages.
www.amny.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Great work by my Labor Center colleagues. Security guards protect many of NYC's iconic buildings--and their inhabitants--but often can't support themselves and their families.
www.amny.com/lifestyle/ci...
www.amny.com/lifestyle/ci...
Reposted by Julie Light
Since January, BLS has lost about 1 in 5 staff, largely through the combination of DOGE layoffs and paid admin leaves + hiring freeze.
This led to erosions in data collection and quality.
Good to see them open a crack in the hiring freeze.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
This led to erosions in data collection and quality.
Good to see them open a crack in the hiring freeze.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
BLS Is Hiring 25 Part-Time Staff to Collect Prices for CPI
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is hiring price collectors for a key inflation metric that’s increasingly relying on a statistical guessing method to compensate for lost staff.
www.bloomberg.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Since January, BLS has lost about 1 in 5 staff, largely through the combination of DOGE layoffs and paid admin leaves + hiring freeze.
This led to erosions in data collection and quality.
Good to see them open a crack in the hiring freeze.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
This led to erosions in data collection and quality.
Good to see them open a crack in the hiring freeze.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Julie Light
PEOPLE’S GAS & ELECTRIC
"All utilities are necessary for the functioning of our society and the preservation of life. To allow life and death decisions to be made based on profit concerns is a violation of human rights."
Guess who wrote it?
Guess who wrote it?
Utilities are a Public Good and Should Be Owned By the Public
Utilities are a Public Good and Should Be Owned By the Public
www.huffpost.com
August 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
PEOPLE’S GAS & ELECTRIC
Reposted by Julie Light
This piece by @markkreidler.bsky.social in @capitalandmain.bsky.social does a great job of putting our State of the Unions report in context. A must read as we enter Labor Day weekend.
capitalandmain.com/unions-are-s...
capitalandmain.com/unions-are-s...
Unions Are Shrinking Nationwide — But Not in California
Organizing here is holding strong, showing what’s possible even as Trump 2.0 makes the fight harder.
capitalandmain.com
August 29, 2025 at 7:28 PM
This piece by @markkreidler.bsky.social in @capitalandmain.bsky.social does a great job of putting our State of the Unions report in context. A must read as we enter Labor Day weekend.
capitalandmain.com/unions-are-s...
capitalandmain.com/unions-are-s...
Reposted by Julie Light
BREAKING: Social Security Administration chief data officer and whistle-blower Charles Borges has resigned after bombshell report that SSA put highly-sensitive data at risk. He sent out an email to colleagues moments ago.
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
August 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
BREAKING: Social Security Administration chief data officer and whistle-blower Charles Borges has resigned after bombshell report that SSA put highly-sensitive data at risk. He sent out an email to colleagues moments ago.
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
Here is the text of his email shared with me:
Reposted by Julie Light
ICYMI: About 450 immigrant workers hired to disinfect New York City’s subways at the height of the pandemic were given inadequate equipment and paid less than the city’s prevailing wage. They have now won more than $3 million in back pay. inthesetimes.com/article/new-...
Immigrant Subway Cleaners in New York Win Millions
The victory surrounds back wages and the dangerous work cleaners undertook during the Covid-19 pandemic.
inthesetimes.com
August 24, 2025 at 3:49 PM
ICYMI: About 450 immigrant workers hired to disinfect New York City’s subways at the height of the pandemic were given inadequate equipment and paid less than the city’s prevailing wage. They have now won more than $3 million in back pay. inthesetimes.com/article/new-...