Michael
@unprovoked.net
Married cat person, bureaucrat, union steward and board member, longtime listener. Previously: bookseller, roller derby official, machine operator, broadcaster, pizza guy, fry cook, and dog walker. Most of the time I just stare at the sky. #LNK #1U
Reposted by Michael
It's almost this time of year.
November 11, 2025 at 12:27 PM
It's almost this time of year.
Reposted by Michael
"As of October 17, the dealers at the Horseshoe Indianapolis Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana, were on strike for union recognition. It's a rare, courageous, throwback tactic. Ninety years ago this was the main way unions were formed," our editor Al Bradbury writes labornotes.org/2025/11/indi...
Indiana Casino Dealers Are Bringing Back the Recognition Strike
There are no clocks in a casino, so the dealers all set their phone alarms for noon. Everyone was a bundle of nerves. Before work, a couple of people threw up. But when the cacophony of alarms sounded...
labornotes.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:28 AM
"As of October 17, the dealers at the Horseshoe Indianapolis Casino in Shelbyville, Indiana, were on strike for union recognition. It's a rare, courageous, throwback tactic. Ninety years ago this was the main way unions were formed," our editor Al Bradbury writes labornotes.org/2025/11/indi...
Reposted by Michael
Last week's Love Letter comes from friend of the newsletter Eden Royce. This absolutely beautiful piece about collecting and sharing papershell pecans is a lifeline to connection, history, and family. It's a very, very good day for it today.
stone-soup.ghost.io/love-letters...
stone-soup.ghost.io/love-letters...
Papershells
A Love Letters Feature by Eden Royce - October 2025
stone-soup.ghost.io
November 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Last week's Love Letter comes from friend of the newsletter Eden Royce. This absolutely beautiful piece about collecting and sharing papershell pecans is a lifeline to connection, history, and family. It's a very, very good day for it today.
stone-soup.ghost.io/love-letters...
stone-soup.ghost.io/love-letters...
Reposted by Michael
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
This is the current political moment where I live: we had no election this month and our entire Congressional delegation comprises five empty-suit rank-and-file Republicans. The state Democratic party doesn't always field candidates in every race or visibly spend much capital organizing down ticket.
November 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
This is the current political moment where I live: we had no election this month and our entire Congressional delegation comprises five empty-suit rank-and-file Republicans. The state Democratic party doesn't always field candidates in every race or visibly spend much capital organizing down ticket.
Reposted by Michael
If a house is on fire then you have to fight the fire. If the entries are obstructed you have to get rid of the obstruction. If the firefighters won't fight the fire then you have to get new firefighters.
This is a metaphor.
This is a metaphor.
November 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM
If a house is on fire then you have to fight the fire. If the entries are obstructed you have to get rid of the obstruction. If the firefighters won't fight the fire then you have to get new firefighters.
This is a metaphor.
This is a metaphor.
Reposted by Michael
TODAY! Lavender Literary Society: "Gender Queer: A Memoir" with Maia Kobabe and Mey Rude in conversation about Kobabe’s “groundbreaking and widely challenged graphic memoir.” Virtual, starting at 6:30PM EST. RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/october-la... #books #memoir #GraphicNovel #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
TODAY! Lavender Literary Society: "Gender Queer: A Memoir" with Maia Kobabe and Mey Rude in conversation about Kobabe’s “groundbreaking and widely challenged graphic memoir.” Virtual, starting at 6:30PM EST. RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/october-la... #books #memoir #GraphicNovel #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA
Reposted by Michael
Once again I am begging people to stop attributing this to cowardice. It's not.
November 10, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Once again I am begging people to stop attributing this to cowardice. It's not.
November 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Reposted by Michael
Obviously.
November 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Obviously.
Reposted by Michael
Poet, musician, and software engineer nori li, here as @nori.gay, has died. She was phenomenally talented and dearly loved
💜 🏳️⚧️ 💜
💜 🏳️⚧️ 💜
honoring the life of nori li
A celebration of nori li, an American poet, musician and software engineer, who was passionate about the arts and trans liberation.
honoringnori.gay
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Poet, musician, and software engineer nori li, here as @nori.gay, has died. She was phenomenally talented and dearly loved
💜 🏳️⚧️ 💜
💜 🏳️⚧️ 💜
Reposted by Michael
Somewhat disagree.
November 7, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Somewhat disagree.
Watching this @nwslsoccer.com quarterfinal match (Washington Spirit vs. Racing Louisville) is fun but it makes me miss FC Kansas City more.
November 8, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Watching this @nwslsoccer.com quarterfinal match (Washington Spirit vs. Racing Louisville) is fun but it makes me miss FC Kansas City more.
Reposted by Michael
Transparency isn't a goal in itself, but a means to an end—in this case, getting members ready for a boss fight, writes Paul Steiner, an inside wire journeyworker in IBEW Local 520 and a member of the Caucus of Rank-and-File Electrical Workers labornotes.org/blogs/2025/1... 1/4
Texas Electricians Open Up Negotiations and Win Big
The building trades can be a tough place for union reformers. Union business is typically conducted behind the scenes, with little involvement from members, while the bosses stall and derail negotiati...
labornotes.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Transparency isn't a goal in itself, but a means to an end—in this case, getting members ready for a boss fight, writes Paul Steiner, an inside wire journeyworker in IBEW Local 520 and a member of the Caucus of Rank-and-File Electrical Workers labornotes.org/blogs/2025/1... 1/4
Woke returns to my public library – not that it ever left. @judedoyle.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Woke returns to my public library – not that it ever left. @judedoyle.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael
Join rank-and-file members at the next Labor Notes 'Secrets of a Successful Organizer' online workshop series in November!
First of two sessions starts this Saturday, Nov. 8, Noon to 3 p.m. Eastern.
Second session is on Saturday, Nov. 22
Sign up: labornotes.org/events/2025/...
First of two sessions starts this Saturday, Nov. 8, Noon to 3 p.m. Eastern.
Second session is on Saturday, Nov. 22
Sign up: labornotes.org/events/2025/...
November 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Join rank-and-file members at the next Labor Notes 'Secrets of a Successful Organizer' online workshop series in November!
First of two sessions starts this Saturday, Nov. 8, Noon to 3 p.m. Eastern.
Second session is on Saturday, Nov. 22
Sign up: labornotes.org/events/2025/...
First of two sessions starts this Saturday, Nov. 8, Noon to 3 p.m. Eastern.
Second session is on Saturday, Nov. 22
Sign up: labornotes.org/events/2025/...
Reposted by Michael
it's not complicated: some guys (who, somehow, remain influential and comparatively powerful) are feeling powerless again and are trying to make it anyone else's problem but theirs
November 6, 2025 at 2:37 PM
it's not complicated: some guys (who, somehow, remain influential and comparatively powerful) are feeling powerless again and are trying to make it anyone else's problem but theirs
Skyline cleanse. 10/10, no notes.
I'm just kidding you can critique all you want I'm just not gonna listen. Behold, Bella the Cat in the style of Matisse's "Green Stripe"
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Skyline cleanse. 10/10, no notes.
Reposted by Michael
Voters across the country opted for pro-worker candidates who are committed to lowering the cost of living, says AFSCME President Lee Saunders. www.afscme.org/blog/afscmes...
AFSCME’s Saunders: Voters chose candidates committed to lowering costs
Pro-worker candidates secure victory in Tuesday’s elections.
www.afscme.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Voters across the country opted for pro-worker candidates who are committed to lowering the cost of living, says AFSCME President Lee Saunders. www.afscme.org/blog/afscmes...
Forgive me if I repeat myself, but LFG. #NoContractNoCoffee #1U
BREAKING: After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless Starbucks finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
Starbucks unionized workers say they'll strike on Nov. 13 if coffee giant doesn't finalize contract
Union members say they are ready to strike on the chain's Red Cup Day if Starbucks doesn't finalize a contract with their union by then.
www.cbsnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Forgive me if I repeat myself, but LFG. #NoContractNoCoffee #1U
Oh, hot damn.
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Oh, hot damn.
"Better things are not only possible but necessary." – @juliusgoat.bsky.social
Colorado voters have approved raising taxes on households earning over $300,000 to fund meals for all public school students, raise salaries for school meal staff, and bolster SNAP at the state level.
November 5, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"Better things are not only possible but necessary." – @juliusgoat.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael
thank you for the outpouring of support!
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday are now sharing our GoFundMe to help us cover our emergency expenses now that we've lost our incomes, as we get back on our feet.
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday are now sharing our GoFundMe to help us cover our emergency expenses now that we've lost our incomes, as we get back on our feet.
Donate to Help Laid-Off Teen Vogue Staffers Recover, organized by Lexi McMenamin
More than half the team at Teen Vogue was laid off this week by our parent co… Lexi McMenamin needs your support for Help Laid-Off Teen Vogue Staffers Recover
www.gofundme.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:17 PM
thank you for the outpouring of support!
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday are now sharing our GoFundMe to help us cover our emergency expenses now that we've lost our incomes, as we get back on our feet.
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue yesterday are now sharing our GoFundMe to help us cover our emergency expenses now that we've lost our incomes, as we get back on our feet.
Reposted by Michael
Happiness really is shocking sometimes.
November 5, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Happiness really is shocking sometimes.
Reposted by Michael
There’s no reason ever again for any Democrat to suggest moderating on trans rights. There was never a moral reason but now there’s no political reason either.
Somebody tell Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg. it’s joe-ver.
Somebody tell Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg. it’s joe-ver.
November 5, 2025 at 1:03 PM
There’s no reason ever again for any Democrat to suggest moderating on trans rights. There was never a moral reason but now there’s no political reason either.
Somebody tell Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg. it’s joe-ver.
Somebody tell Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg. it’s joe-ver.