The University and College Union (UCU)–Britain’s trade union for academics–has gone on strike. The strike is about the University Superannuation Scheme (USS)’s decision to switch academics from “defined benefit” pension plans to “defined contribution” plans. As a PhD student at Cambridge I write this piece at home, having skipped a couple events I really wanted to go to today, because this strike is so important, both to academia and to the cause of working people more generally. My hope is that I can explain the strike to those who don’t know much about it and defend it to any who doubt its necessity. Continue reading “The British Academic Strike is a Crucial Struggle that Must Be Won: Part I, Pensions”
Tag: Pensions
Tom Perez Was the Wrong Choice for DNC Chair
Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez has defeated Keith Ellison to become the new chairman of the DNC. It took two rounds of voting, with Perez eventually prevailing, 235-200. This is a deeply concerning development–Perez has a long history of taking positions which accommodate and contribute to declining living standards for poor and working Americans. He does support minimum wage increases, but a closer look reveals an untrustworthy record.
Continue reading “Tom Perez Was the Wrong Choice for DNC Chair”
Candidate Evaluations: Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Chafee is running for president, so let’s have a look at him, shall we? I’ll be evaluating Chafee’s background, policy history, and explicit statements to determine whether or not he would make a good president. I won’t be paying attention to electability or likeability, as is often common elsewhere on the web. Continue reading “Candidate Evaluations: Lincoln Chafee”
Benjamin Studebaker 