Timothy Sumer

The train derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio catapulted the degraded condition of the US's freight rail network into national consciousness. But workers have been sounding the alarm for years. Long hours, short staffs, poor sick leave, and dangerously extended trains have raised the risks inherent in railroad operations for workers and the public in order to fatten the profit margins of corporate rail carriers. While the Department of Transportation has called for stricter regulation in the wake of East Palestine and other recent disasters, rank-and-file workers say it's not enough. The problem is not simply one of inadequate regulation, but the power of private, profit-driven interests to shape what is ultimately public infrastructure. Thus comes the call to nationalize the railroads. But how might this be accomplished, and how effectively can it solve the problems plaguing the rail system today? Journalist and professor Kari Lyderson and former Railroad Wor

As interest rates rise and companies tighten their belts, white-collar workers have taken the brunt of layoffs and job cuts, breaking with the usual pattern leading into a downturn. WSJ explains why many professionals are getting the pink slip first. Illustration: Adele Morgan #Layoffs #JobCuts #WSJ... ( read more ) BREAKING: Recession News LEARN MORE ABOUT: Bank Failures REVEALED: Best Investment During Inflation HOW TO INVEST IN GOLD: Gold IRA Investing The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant economic downturn that is being felt across different sectors. However, contrary to past recessions where low-skilled workers were the hardest hit, this time, the layoffs are hitting the white-collar workforce. As the Wall Street Journal reports, millions of professional workers are losing their jobs or experiencing reduced hours, as companies cut costs to stay afloat. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains, reduced consumer demand, and led to the cl