Toly Rinberg
@tolyrinberg.bsky.social
Rank-and-file organizing with UAWD in Detroit / Working on science and governance of the energy transition
President of a Unifor Local representing Canadian GM autoworkers, whose jobs are threatened by tariffs and EV policies, is drawing a line in the sand:
"Nothing comes in and nothing goes out. If they try to remove even one single thing from the plant, we are ready to take over."
"Nothing comes in and nothing goes out. If they try to remove even one single thing from the plant, we are ready to take over."
November 14, 2025 at 8:28 PM
President of a Unifor Local representing Canadian GM autoworkers, whose jobs are threatened by tariffs and EV policies, is drawing a line in the sand:
"Nothing comes in and nothing goes out. If they try to remove even one single thing from the plant, we are ready to take over."
"Nothing comes in and nothing goes out. If they try to remove even one single thing from the plant, we are ready to take over."
Anyone looking to understand the restructuring of the North American auto industry should grapple with this long-but-useful piece by Sam Gindin:
"Canadian Auto Isn’t in ‘Crisis’, It’s in Danger of Extinction"
"Canadian Auto Isn’t in ‘Crisis’, It’s in Danger of Extinction"
November 13, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Anyone looking to understand the restructuring of the North American auto industry should grapple with this long-but-useful piece by Sam Gindin:
"Canadian Auto Isn’t in ‘Crisis’, It’s in Danger of Extinction"
"Canadian Auto Isn’t in ‘Crisis’, It’s in Danger of Extinction"
I've been replaying this episode and find myself learning something new every time I turn it back on
Strongly recommend this two-parter with @melindacooper.bsky.social
Strongly recommend this two-parter with @melindacooper.bsky.social
New @thedigradio.bsky.social: first of two w @melindacooper.bsky.social on Counterrevolution: Extravagance and Austerity in Public Finance. How neoliberalism remade US capitalism into an engine for endless asset appreciation, and the attendant reactionary politics www.thedigradio.com/podcast/coun...
Counterrevolution w/ Melinda Cooper
Featuring Melinda Cooper on Counterrevolution: Extravagance and Austerity in Public Finance. Neoliberalism remade the American economy into an engine for the appreciation of assets stretching from the...
www.thedigradio.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM
I've been replaying this episode and find myself learning something new every time I turn it back on
Strongly recommend this two-parter with @melindacooper.bsky.social
Strongly recommend this two-parter with @melindacooper.bsky.social
How come we’re not talking about how housing rental security deposits are a scam?
I had a bit of an aha moment recently when I realized that as long as I’ll be a renter, I effectively never get my security deposit back: I just transfer it to the next landlord
I had a bit of an aha moment recently when I realized that as long as I’ll be a renter, I effectively never get my security deposit back: I just transfer it to the next landlord
November 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
How come we’re not talking about how housing rental security deposits are a scam?
I had a bit of an aha moment recently when I realized that as long as I’ll be a renter, I effectively never get my security deposit back: I just transfer it to the next landlord
I had a bit of an aha moment recently when I realized that as long as I’ll be a renter, I effectively never get my security deposit back: I just transfer it to the next landlord
Work in the auto industry is often considered a high road manufacturing job. But UAW parts plants, like this one that makes car seats, often work grueling mandatory hours and in this case were being paid $14/h before UAW Local 1819 organized their contract campaign
October 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Work in the auto industry is often considered a high road manufacturing job. But UAW parts plants, like this one that makes car seats, often work grueling mandatory hours and in this case were being paid $14/h before UAW Local 1819 organized their contract campaign
Reposted by Toly Rinberg
Feeling the doom spiral? We don't have to settle for this and UAWD is talking about class struggle as a means to rebuild our power over our lives:
"So long as we wait for somebody else to stand up for us, things will only get worse. We have to come together and fight. Our self-respect demands it."
"So long as we wait for somebody else to stand up for us, things will only get worse. We have to come together and fight. Our self-respect demands it."
A Class Struggle Vision: Why UAWD is Launching Daily Struggle - Daily Struggle
To face the threats to the American labor movement and build a better world, UAWD believes a vision based in internationalist class struggle is essential.
dailystruggle.org
October 22, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Feeling the doom spiral? We don't have to settle for this and UAWD is talking about class struggle as a means to rebuild our power over our lives:
"So long as we wait for somebody else to stand up for us, things will only get worse. We have to come together and fight. Our self-respect demands it."
"So long as we wait for somebody else to stand up for us, things will only get worse. We have to come together and fight. Our self-respect demands it."
UAW takes a victory lap, claiming their pressure and tariffs got Stellantis to commit $13 billion in product, bringing thousands of manufacturing jobs to the Midwest
Meanwhile, 3,000 Canadian Stellantis workers at Brampton receive robocalls saying their work is moving to the US
Meanwhile, 3,000 Canadian Stellantis workers at Brampton receive robocalls saying their work is moving to the US
October 21, 2025 at 6:35 PM
UAW takes a victory lap, claiming their pressure and tariffs got Stellantis to commit $13 billion in product, bringing thousands of manufacturing jobs to the Midwest
Meanwhile, 3,000 Canadian Stellantis workers at Brampton receive robocalls saying their work is moving to the US
Meanwhile, 3,000 Canadian Stellantis workers at Brampton receive robocalls saying their work is moving to the US
After a summer of building, Unite All Workers for Democracy is releasing Daily Struggle
It's a much needed project in a UAW where Locals, esp in manufacturing, are still stagnant & business unionist and the top leadership, which is creating some openings, is turning toward protectionism
It's a much needed project in a UAW where Locals, esp in manufacturing, are still stagnant & business unionist and the top leadership, which is creating some openings, is turning toward protectionism
October 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
After a summer of building, Unite All Workers for Democracy is releasing Daily Struggle
It's a much needed project in a UAW where Locals, esp in manufacturing, are still stagnant & business unionist and the top leadership, which is creating some openings, is turning toward protectionism
It's a much needed project in a UAW where Locals, esp in manufacturing, are still stagnant & business unionist and the top leadership, which is creating some openings, is turning toward protectionism
Reposted by Toly Rinberg
The plant makes batteries for EVs.
Incredible story on so many levels. "450 Nabbed by ICE at Hyundai Georgia Plant, Where 3 Workers Were Killed Previously." cc @TheHankyoreh
paydayreport.com/450-napped-b...
paydayreport.com/450-napped-b...
450 Nabbed by ICE at Hyundai Georgia Plant, Where 3 Workers Were Killed Previously
Since the Trump Administration took over and began cutting back on federal workplace safety enforcement, two workers have died at the plant in just two months.
paydayreport.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:35 AM
The plant makes batteries for EVs.
Great news for organizing in the South. UAW announces majority union vote at Ford's joint venture battery plant in Kentucky. No doubt the Trump NLRB will try to undermine this win.
uaw.org/uaw-statemen...
uaw.org/uaw-statemen...
August 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Great news for organizing in the South. UAW announces majority union vote at Ford's joint venture battery plant in Kentucky. No doubt the Trump NLRB will try to undermine this win.
uaw.org/uaw-statemen...
uaw.org/uaw-statemen...
Solidarity with Ford BlueOval electric vehicle battery workers who are voting in their union election today.
They've been facing months of intense union busting by Ford, which is attempting to use the EV transition to divide workers
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/26/e...
They've been facing months of intense union busting by Ford, which is attempting to use the EV transition to divide workers
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/26/e...
Electric vehicle battery workers in Kentucky begin voting on whether to unionize • Kentucky Lantern
A nine-month campaign to unionize a massive electric vehicle battery plant in Hardin County will culminate in a vote by more than 1,400 hourly workers.
kentuckylantern.com
August 26, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Solidarity with Ford BlueOval electric vehicle battery workers who are voting in their union election today.
They've been facing months of intense union busting by Ford, which is attempting to use the EV transition to divide workers
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/26/e...
They've been facing months of intense union busting by Ford, which is attempting to use the EV transition to divide workers
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/26/e...
Ford recently announced a new platform for an "affordable" EV. It's important for at least 2 reasons:
1) Signals Ford's commitment to EVs despite Trump policy reversals & tariffs
2) Though untested, they are already bragging about "efficiency" aka workforce reduction
www.freep.com/story/money/...
1) Signals Ford's commitment to EVs despite Trump policy reversals & tariffs
2) Though untested, they are already bragging about "efficiency" aka workforce reduction
www.freep.com/story/money/...
Ford announces investment to bring affordable EVs to market, and talks about a new truck
Ford announced the creation of a new production process and platform to help it bring its next EV to market in 2027.
www.freep.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Ford recently announced a new platform for an "affordable" EV. It's important for at least 2 reasons:
1) Signals Ford's commitment to EVs despite Trump policy reversals & tariffs
2) Though untested, they are already bragging about "efficiency" aka workforce reduction
www.freep.com/story/money/...
1) Signals Ford's commitment to EVs despite Trump policy reversals & tariffs
2) Though untested, they are already bragging about "efficiency" aka workforce reduction
www.freep.com/story/money/...
Reposted by Toly Rinberg
By me: Con Edison, the monopoly utility in NYC, disconnected 88,000 homes from Jan to June - triple the 2024 shut offs & now wants to hike bills by 11%. Meanwhile >525 heat deaths in the city last year, and heat waves are getting worse. Energy poverty kills.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
New York energy company ramps up disconnections as it seeks 11% price hike
Con Edison, city’s monopoly utility, cut off 88,000 households in first half of 2025 as climate crisis drives extreme temperatures
www.theguardian.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:23 PM
By me: Con Edison, the monopoly utility in NYC, disconnected 88,000 homes from Jan to June - triple the 2024 shut offs & now wants to hike bills by 11%. Meanwhile >525 heat deaths in the city last year, and heat waves are getting worse. Energy poverty kills.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
As Microsoft's market value hits a record $4 trillion today, the decoupling of their emissions and their 2030 net-zero pledge makes their priorities clear
Too bad we're doing AI right now, I guess we'll deal with the climate thing next time
Too bad we're doing AI right now, I guess we'll deal with the climate thing next time
August 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
As Microsoft's market value hits a record $4 trillion today, the decoupling of their emissions and their 2030 net-zero pledge makes their priorities clear
Too bad we're doing AI right now, I guess we'll deal with the climate thing next time
Too bad we're doing AI right now, I guess we'll deal with the climate thing next time
Reposted by Toly Rinberg
1. This is something I've been saying for 25 years, but it's hard to get many people to listen. What counts is not the new energy sources you add, but the old ones you retire. Unfortunately it's politically easier to build renewables than to shutter fossil fuels.🧵
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
The Renewable Illusion: Why Fossil Fuels Keep Winning
Global renewables hit records in 2024, but fossil fuel use still rises. Here’s why solar’s surge isn’t enough—and what the latest energy data really shows.
www.forbes.com
August 4, 2025 at 8:13 AM
1. This is something I've been saying for 25 years, but it's hard to get many people to listen. What counts is not the new energy sources you add, but the old ones you retire. Unfortunately it's politically easier to build renewables than to shutter fossil fuels.🧵
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
www.forbes.com/sites/rrapie...
Here's the president of Unifor, representing Canadian autoworkers, speaking out against Trump's tariffs. It's not a direct UAW call out, but it's easy enough to read between the lines
This perspective is probably as far as unions today will go, but it still falls short
www.freep.com/story/opinio...
This perspective is probably as far as unions today will go, but it still falls short
www.freep.com/story/opinio...
U.S. tariffs are hurting all auto workers. Canada isn't the enemy. | Opinion
Canada and America have an integrated auto supply chain. Punishing Canada with tariffs will hurt the U.S.
www.freep.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Here's the president of Unifor, representing Canadian autoworkers, speaking out against Trump's tariffs. It's not a direct UAW call out, but it's easy enough to read between the lines
This perspective is probably as far as unions today will go, but it still falls short
www.freep.com/story/opinio...
This perspective is probably as far as unions today will go, but it still falls short
www.freep.com/story/opinio...
What about what's happening makes this a transition?
Just because increase in non-fossil energy is a precondition for a clean transition, doesn't mean that one is happening or will by default.
Seems to me what we're seeing is global energy expansion, with wind/solar taking a big share right now
Just because increase in non-fossil energy is a precondition for a clean transition, doesn't mean that one is happening or will by default.
Seems to me what we're seeing is global energy expansion, with wind/solar taking a big share right now
TRANSITION? WHAT TRANSITION?
Wind and solar, pet hates of the populist right, will meet >90% of global electricity demand growth to 2026, helping renewables topple King Coal's reign as the world's top power source
www.carbonbrief.org/...
Wind and solar, pet hates of the populist right, will meet >90% of global electricity demand growth to 2026, helping renewables topple King Coal's reign as the world's top power source
www.carbonbrief.org/...
August 1, 2025 at 2:19 PM
What about what's happening makes this a transition?
Just because increase in non-fossil energy is a precondition for a clean transition, doesn't mean that one is happening or will by default.
Seems to me what we're seeing is global energy expansion, with wind/solar taking a big share right now
Just because increase in non-fossil energy is a precondition for a clean transition, doesn't mean that one is happening or will by default.
Seems to me what we're seeing is global energy expansion, with wind/solar taking a big share right now
**Contradictions intensify**
Combined with a fossil captured state, the logic of competition prevents planning our way out of the climate mess
Combined with a fossil captured state, the logic of competition prevents planning our way out of the climate mess
Shifts in economic policy and manufacturing have led major automakers to cancel upcoming electric vehicle launches in the US. www.wired.com/story/list-o...
Automakers Are Canceling Plans for New EVs. Here’s a List of What’s Been Killed So Far
Shifts in economic policy and manufacturing have led major automakers to cancel upcoming electric vehicle launches in the US.
www.wired.com
July 20, 2025 at 8:44 AM
**Contradictions intensify**
Combined with a fossil captured state, the logic of competition prevents planning our way out of the climate mess
Combined with a fossil captured state, the logic of competition prevents planning our way out of the climate mess
Meanwhile, in the US, we're re-retooling major factories from combustion to EV and then back to combustion because of Biden-to-Trump policy whiplash, with the UAW cheering this along
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
China vows to regulate 'irrational' competition in EV industry
China's cabinet on Wednesday pledged to regulate what it called "irrational" competition in the country's electric vehicle industry, vowing to strengthen cost investigation and price monitoring, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
www.reuters.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Meanwhile, in the US, we're re-retooling major factories from combustion to EV and then back to combustion because of Biden-to-Trump policy whiplash, with the UAW cheering this along
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
www.reuters.com/business/aut...
Thinking about how Ursula Le Guin is the opposite of AI:
Kids ask me, in all good faith, “When you have your message, how do you make up a story to fit it?” All I can answer is, “It doesn’t work that way! I’m not an answering machine — I don’t have a message for you! What I have for you is a story”
Kids ask me, in all good faith, “When you have your message, how do you make up a story to fit it?” All I can answer is, “It doesn’t work that way! I’m not an answering machine — I don’t have a message for you! What I have for you is a story”
July 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Thinking about how Ursula Le Guin is the opposite of AI:
Kids ask me, in all good faith, “When you have your message, how do you make up a story to fit it?” All I can answer is, “It doesn’t work that way! I’m not an answering machine — I don’t have a message for you! What I have for you is a story”
Kids ask me, in all good faith, “When you have your message, how do you make up a story to fit it?” All I can answer is, “It doesn’t work that way! I’m not an answering machine — I don’t have a message for you! What I have for you is a story”
I am the target demographic for this article
Let no one forget that when Frodo returned to the Shire after destroying the ring, he insisted on minimizing harm to the ruffians, then temporarily served as deputy mayor, defunded the police, and stepped down
www.dissentmagazine.org/article/tolk...
Let no one forget that when Frodo returned to the Shire after destroying the ring, he insisted on minimizing harm to the ruffians, then temporarily served as deputy mayor, defunded the police, and stepped down
www.dissentmagazine.org/article/tolk...
Tolkien Against the Grain - Dissent Magazine
The Lord of the Rings is a book obsessed with ruins, bloodlines, and the divine right of aristocrats. Why are so many on the left able to love it?
www.dissentmagazine.org
April 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I am the target demographic for this article
Let no one forget that when Frodo returned to the Shire after destroying the ring, he insisted on minimizing harm to the ruffians, then temporarily served as deputy mayor, defunded the police, and stepped down
www.dissentmagazine.org/article/tolk...
Let no one forget that when Frodo returned to the Shire after destroying the ring, he insisted on minimizing harm to the ruffians, then temporarily served as deputy mayor, defunded the police, and stepped down
www.dissentmagazine.org/article/tolk...
In case you missed it, our educational training for a worker-led EV transition is up now: youtu.be/zdXUmOOfWjA
At the end, we discuss some case studies of bottom-up worker control conversion attempts, like the Lucas Plan, Green Jobs Oshawa, and the 2001 Argentina factory takeovers
At the end, we discuss some case studies of bottom-up worker control conversion attempts, like the Lucas Plan, Green Jobs Oshawa, and the 2001 Argentina factory takeovers
Building a Worker-led EV Transition, for People not Profit
YouTube video by Unite All Workers for Democracy (UAWD)
youtu.be
March 26, 2025 at 1:40 AM
In case you missed it, our educational training for a worker-led EV transition is up now: youtu.be/zdXUmOOfWjA
At the end, we discuss some case studies of bottom-up worker control conversion attempts, like the Lucas Plan, Green Jobs Oshawa, and the 2001 Argentina factory takeovers
At the end, we discuss some case studies of bottom-up worker control conversion attempts, like the Lucas Plan, Green Jobs Oshawa, and the 2001 Argentina factory takeovers
Trump and his oligarch cronies are injecting uncertainty into an already bumpy corporate-led EV transition. Now, will EV policy reversals and whirlwind tariffs cause more mass layoffs or another recession?
Join me and my UAWD EV Committee organizers for our analysis & to hear how we can fight back
Join me and my UAWD EV Committee organizers for our analysis & to hear how we can fight back
March 12, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Trump and his oligarch cronies are injecting uncertainty into an already bumpy corporate-led EV transition. Now, will EV policy reversals and whirlwind tariffs cause more mass layoffs or another recession?
Join me and my UAWD EV Committee organizers for our analysis & to hear how we can fight back
Join me and my UAWD EV Committee organizers for our analysis & to hear how we can fight back
Reposted by Toly Rinberg
literally nothing can prepare you for this EPA press release www.epa.gov/newsreleases...
EPA Press Office Fact Checks the Washington Post’s Coverage of Waste & Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars | US EPA
EPA News Release: EPA Press Office Fact Checks the Washington Post’s Coverage of Waste & Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars
www.epa.gov
March 7, 2025 at 1:44 AM
literally nothing can prepare you for this EPA press release www.epa.gov/newsreleases...
I am once again asking you to build coalitions with other unions and workers instead of pandering to the Trump administration
Even if you think these tariffs are just a flex for the US to build leverage in renegotiating North American trade policy, power comes from unified collective demands
Even if you think these tariffs are just a flex for the US to build leverage in renegotiating North American trade policy, power comes from unified collective demands
March 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM
I am once again asking you to build coalitions with other unions and workers instead of pandering to the Trump administration
Even if you think these tariffs are just a flex for the US to build leverage in renegotiating North American trade policy, power comes from unified collective demands
Even if you think these tariffs are just a flex for the US to build leverage in renegotiating North American trade policy, power comes from unified collective demands