Rebecca Burns
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social
Investigative reporter and editor. 🏡,🏦,☀️, also🐈. she/ her.
Pinned
Rebecca Burns
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social
· Dec 10
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
At @inthesetimes.com, we've been following how tenant unions are adapting strategies from organized labor.
Here's a fascinating story about the flipside: a corporate landlord taking a page from anti-union employers, even hiring a "union avoidance" firm. (1/8)
inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
Here's a fascinating story about the flipside: a corporate landlord taking a page from anti-union employers, even hiring a "union avoidance" firm. (1/8)
inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
“Hundreds of immigrant mothers” in Texas concentration camp uprising
There's a prison revolt at a concentration camp in Texas in solidarity with Minneapolis:
January 24, 2026 at 11:11 PM
“Hundreds of immigrant mothers” in Texas concentration camp uprising
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
YOUR PHONE CALLS TO THE SENATE ARE WORKING. KEEP CALLING.
202–224-3121
Three Democrats who previously broke with the party and voted with the GOP are now saying they will not vote for the bill. That’s enough for the bill to be unpassable right now.
202–224-3121
Three Democrats who previously broke with the party and voted with the GOP are now saying they will not vote for the bill. That’s enough for the bill to be unpassable right now.
DHS funding bill faces new Senate hurdles after another person killed in Minneapolis
Some Democrats who voted for recent funding bills said they'll vote against any DHS bill without restrictions on enforcement operations. The deadline to avert a shutdown is Friday.
www.nbcnews.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:29 PM
YOUR PHONE CALLS TO THE SENATE ARE WORKING. KEEP CALLING.
202–224-3121
Three Democrats who previously broke with the party and voted with the GOP are now saying they will not vote for the bill. That’s enough for the bill to be unpassable right now.
202–224-3121
Three Democrats who previously broke with the party and voted with the GOP are now saying they will not vote for the bill. That’s enough for the bill to be unpassable right now.
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
By who? Who shot the person dead? You saw the video. We all know a federal agent shot a man dead who was prone on the ground. Also, it's not "according to officials." It's according to verified video seen with your eyes. Not saying what anyone can obviously see with their eyes is a form of lying.
January 24, 2026 at 6:28 PM
By who? Who shot the person dead? You saw the video. We all know a federal agent shot a man dead who was prone on the ground. Also, it's not "according to officials." It's according to verified video seen with your eyes. Not saying what anyone can obviously see with their eyes is a form of lying.
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Samantha Stamps is missing. She has experienced homelessness since her old building — raided by feds in September — was ordered vacated by a judge due to unsafe conditions.
Stamps was last seen near the Central Park Pink Line and frequents areas in N. Lawndale. blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/14/f...
Stamps was last seen near the Central Park Pink Line and frequents areas in N. Lawndale. blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/14/f...
Former Resident Of South Shore Building Raided By Feds Is Now Missing, Police Say
Samantha Stamps, 56, was last seen near the Central Park Pink Line stop. She's been experiencing homelessness since the building was vacated, and is known to frequent areas in North Lawndale, police s...
blockclubchicago.org
January 14, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Samantha Stamps is missing. She has experienced homelessness since her old building — raided by feds in September — was ordered vacated by a judge due to unsafe conditions.
Stamps was last seen near the Central Park Pink Line and frequents areas in N. Lawndale. blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/14/f...
Stamps was last seen near the Central Park Pink Line and frequents areas in N. Lawndale. blockclubchicago.org/2026/01/14/f...
Important reporting from @sarahlazare.bsky.social on an action that'll be critical to watch, as cities consider how to respond to all-out siege by federal immigration forces.
Unions and community orgs are calling for a Minnesota-wide shutdown in 10 days to protest the ferocious assault by federal immigration agents. They're saying on Jan 23, no work, no school, no shopping. SEIU Local 26, UNITE HERE Local 17, & others are supporting, w/ more to join. By me, Amie Stager
“We Are Facing a Tsunami of Hate”: Amid ICE Crackdown, Unions and Community Groups Call for Minnesota Shutdown in 10 Days
Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and an assault on the state by federal immigration forces, a labor-community coalition is calling for residents to refuse to work, shop or go to school on Januar...
inthesetimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Important reporting from @sarahlazare.bsky.social on an action that'll be critical to watch, as cities consider how to respond to all-out siege by federal immigration forces.
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.
January 3, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.
The Chicago City Council just punted again on passing a corporate head tax to help fill a $1.2b gap.
Beyond the excellent case from @etoddbreland.bsky.social here, one of the alternative proposals—aggressive debt collection—seems almost designed to fail... (🧵)
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
Beyond the excellent case from @etoddbreland.bsky.social here, one of the alternative proposals—aggressive debt collection—seems almost designed to fail... (🧵)
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
There Should Be No Debate. Corporations Should Pay More Taxes.
As Chicago's budget standoff continues, the issue of whether corporations should pay more taxes to support the public good should not be contentious.
inthesetimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The Chicago City Council just punted again on passing a corporate head tax to help fill a $1.2b gap.
Beyond the excellent case from @etoddbreland.bsky.social here, one of the alternative proposals—aggressive debt collection—seems almost designed to fail... (🧵)
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
Beyond the excellent case from @etoddbreland.bsky.social here, one of the alternative proposals—aggressive debt collection—seems almost designed to fail... (🧵)
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Wrote something in light of the ongoing conversations about the city budget in Chicago. We should demand that large corporations pay their fair share to support the public good! @inthesetimes.com
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
There Should Be No Debate. Corporations Should Pay More Taxes.
As Chicago's budget standoff continues, the issue of whether corporations should pay more taxes to support the public good should not be contentious.
inthesetimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Wrote something in light of the ongoing conversations about the city budget in Chicago. We should demand that large corporations pay their fair share to support the public good! @inthesetimes.com
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
inthesetimes.com/article/bran...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
With artificial intelligence sparking a surge in electricity demand, Illinois could be only five years away from chronic shortages and higher monthly bills, according to a report released late Monday by three state agencies.
Illinois could be only 5 years away from electricity shortages, higher bills, report says
It recommends state build more renewable power, transmission lines, and battery storage, and potentially delay fossil-fuel plant closings.
trib.al
December 16, 2025 at 10:24 PM
With artificial intelligence sparking a surge in electricity demand, Illinois could be only five years away from chronic shortages and higher monthly bills, according to a report released late Monday by three state agencies.
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
“You can’t bust our unions — we will not stop organizing.”
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on threats, surveillance & retaliation against members of the Tenant Union Federation and how they are fighting back.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on threats, surveillance & retaliation against members of the Tenant Union Federation and how they are fighting back.
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
“You can’t bust our unions — we will not stop organizing.”
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on threats, surveillance & retaliation against members of the Tenant Union Federation and how they are fighting back.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on threats, surveillance & retaliation against members of the Tenant Union Federation and how they are fighting back.
👇👇At 7500 S Shore, tenants still traumatized by the military-style raid on their building are being forced out.
Maya's points here are critical, and the problem is likely to get worse given rising financial distress, as discussed here by @cplusc.bsky.social climateandcommunity.org/research/fin...
Maya's points here are critical, and the problem is likely to get worse given rising financial distress, as discussed here by @cplusc.bsky.social climateandcommunity.org/research/fin...
December 11, 2025 at 9:57 PM
👇👇At 7500 S Shore, tenants still traumatized by the military-style raid on their building are being forced out.
Maya's points here are critical, and the problem is likely to get worse given rising financial distress, as discussed here by @cplusc.bsky.social climateandcommunity.org/research/fin...
Maya's points here are critical, and the problem is likely to get worse given rising financial distress, as discussed here by @cplusc.bsky.social climateandcommunity.org/research/fin...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
NEW: From the Bronx to Accra, lives are being rebuilt — or dismantled — under a U.S.–Ghana deportation pact few know exists.
In Ghana, I met the people caught in between: the deported, the waiting, the afraid.
Read the story: capitalbnews.org/ghana-us-dep...
In Ghana, I met the people caught in between: the deported, the waiting, the afraid.
Read the story: capitalbnews.org/ghana-us-dep...
Fear, Flights, and Forced Returns: How a U.S.–Ghana Deportation Pact Is Reshaping Lives
Ghanaians at home and abroad are navigating hope and an uneasy partnership between Washington and Accra.
capitalbnews.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
NEW: From the Bronx to Accra, lives are being rebuilt — or dismantled — under a U.S.–Ghana deportation pact few know exists.
In Ghana, I met the people caught in between: the deported, the waiting, the afraid.
Read the story: capitalbnews.org/ghana-us-dep...
In Ghana, I met the people caught in between: the deported, the waiting, the afraid.
Read the story: capitalbnews.org/ghana-us-dep...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
One of the most blatantly authoritarian threats in a Trump term full of them
December 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
One of the most blatantly authoritarian threats in a Trump term full of them
“I owe my freedom to being organized."
Willian Giménez González, Chicago day laborer and beloved worker leader in Chicago, is now free from ICE custody. I spoke to him about his ordeal, and what solidarity looks like in this moment. "They should do more to stop this so we can stop living this nightmare," he said.
“There Is a War Against Us”: Worker Leader, Released from ICE Custody, Speaks Out
Willian Giménez González is free, but he worries about thousands of others who were abducted from the Chicago area.
inthesetimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
“I owe my freedom to being organized."
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Private equity landlords are learning from unscrupulous employers: subjecting members of tenants unions to surveillance and harassment, and retaining union-busting firms. Must-read for anyone seeking to understand the terrain of tenant organizing. by @rebeccaburns.bsky.social @thomasbirm.bsky.social
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Private equity landlords are learning from unscrupulous employers: subjecting members of tenants unions to surveillance and harassment, and retaining union-busting firms. Must-read for anyone seeking to understand the terrain of tenant organizing. by @rebeccaburns.bsky.social @thomasbirm.bsky.social
Remember the military-style raid on a Chicago apartment building that made national headlines this fall?
This is the aftermath: The building's remaining tenants must relocate by Friday. A cycle of speculation-> neglect-> repression-> displacement that may leave traumatized people w/ no place to go
This is the aftermath: The building's remaining tenants must relocate by Friday. A cycle of speculation-> neglect-> repression-> displacement that may leave traumatized people w/ no place to go
UPDATE — For those who want to help, there’s now a way to donate directly to the 7500 South Shore Tenants Union to help with emergency relocation costs as residents “vacate in one of the snowiest winters in Chicago’s history.”
Details in our story.
thetriibe.com/2025/12/judg...
Details in our story.
thetriibe.com/2025/12/judg...
Judge: residents must move out, ICE-raided South Shore building is uninhabitable • The TRiiBE
The tenants of the property at 7500 S. South Shore Drive are ordered to leave the property by Friday.
thetriibe.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Remember the military-style raid on a Chicago apartment building that made national headlines this fall?
This is the aftermath: The building's remaining tenants must relocate by Friday. A cycle of speculation-> neglect-> repression-> displacement that may leave traumatized people w/ no place to go
This is the aftermath: The building's remaining tenants must relocate by Friday. A cycle of speculation-> neglect-> repression-> displacement that may leave traumatized people w/ no place to go
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
This story by @rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social is wild. Private equity landlords are fighting the growing tenant union movement with all the familiar tools of traditional union busting, and then some—from police harassment & counterprotests to bouncy castles & fake tenant groups.
December 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This story by @rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social is wild. Private equity landlords are fighting the growing tenant union movement with all the familiar tools of traditional union busting, and then some—from police harassment & counterprotests to bouncy castles & fake tenant groups.
At @inthesetimes.com, we've been following how tenant unions are adapting strategies from organized labor.
Here's a fascinating story about the flipside: a corporate landlord taking a page from anti-union employers, even hiring a "union avoidance" firm. (1/8)
inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
Here's a fascinating story about the flipside: a corporate landlord taking a page from anti-union employers, even hiring a "union avoidance" firm. (1/8)
inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
At @inthesetimes.com, we've been following how tenant unions are adapting strategies from organized labor.
Here's a fascinating story about the flipside: a corporate landlord taking a page from anti-union employers, even hiring a "union avoidance" firm. (1/8)
inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
Here's a fascinating story about the flipside: a corporate landlord taking a page from anti-union employers, even hiring a "union avoidance" firm. (1/8)
inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on old-school union-busting tactics being used against renters.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on old-school union-busting tactics being used against renters.
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on old-school union-busting tactics being used against renters.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on old-school union-busting tactics being used against renters.
Threats, retaliation, and a mysterious, management-friendly "union": As tenants of Capital Realty Group mount a new, national organizing push, they say their private equity landlord is union-busting with help from a familiar player.
New w/ @thomasbirm.bsky.social inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
New w/ @thomasbirm.bsky.social inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Threats, retaliation, and a mysterious, management-friendly "union": As tenants of Capital Realty Group mount a new, national organizing push, they say their private equity landlord is union-busting with help from a familiar player.
New w/ @thomasbirm.bsky.social inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
New w/ @thomasbirm.bsky.social inthesetimes.com/article/tena...
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Tenants are forming unions to fight mold, retaliation and rising rents — and their private-equity landlord is responding with classic union-busting tactics, even hiring a “union avoidance” firm.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on the threats, surveillance and retaliation.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on the threats, surveillance and retaliation.
As Tenants Organize, Landlords Embrace Old-School Union-Busting
Tenant union members say they’ve faced threats, surveillance and retaliation from their private equity landlord, which has retained a notorious “union avoidance” firm.
inthesetimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Tenants are forming unions to fight mold, retaliation and rising rents — and their private-equity landlord is responding with classic union-busting tactics, even hiring a “union avoidance” firm.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on the threats, surveillance and retaliation.
@rebeccaburns.bsky.social & @thomasbirm.bsky.social report on the threats, surveillance and retaliation.
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
Mientras Estados Unidos se enfrenta a los mayores recortes del sector médico en su historia, Texas presenta una visión aterradora del futuro de la atención médica a largo plazo.
Sin escape: Dentro del sistema de casas de huespedes en Texas donde el abuso, la negligencia, y la explotación son comunes
Mientras Estados Unidos se enfrenta a los mayores recortes del sector médico en su historia, Texas presenta una visión aterradora del futuro de la atención médica a largo plazo.
inthesetimes.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Mientras Estados Unidos se enfrenta a los mayores recortes del sector médico en su historia, Texas presenta una visión aterradora del futuro de la atención médica a largo plazo.
Reposted by Rebecca Burns
A new @inthesetimes.com investigation by @ottavias.bsky.social w/ @typeinvestigations.org uncovers Texas “boarding homes” where disabled & elderly people face neglect, abuse & exploitation. As the US faces the largest healthcare cuts in its history, Texas' disastrous system is a warning for us all.
December 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
A new @inthesetimes.com investigation by @ottavias.bsky.social w/ @typeinvestigations.org uncovers Texas “boarding homes” where disabled & elderly people face neglect, abuse & exploitation. As the US faces the largest healthcare cuts in its history, Texas' disastrous system is a warning for us all.
Must-read, heartrending reporting
I've been working for a while on this investigation into the deadly labor that built the US nuclear weapons/energy sector. The federal government built the uranium mining industry disproportionately on Navajo lands where men are 28.6X more likely to develop cancer.
They Worked Underground in the Uranium Mines. They've Been Surrounded by Death Ever Since.
The uranium industry left a trail of sickness and loss through Navajo territory, yet Trump is pushing for another mining boom.
inthesetimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Must-read, heartrending reporting