Stories by Kari Lydersen

Kari Lydersen, an In These Times contributing editor, is a Chicago-based journalist whose works has appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Reader and The Progressive, among other publications. Her most recent book is Revolt on Goose Island. In 2011, she was awarded a Studs Terkel Community Media Award for her work. She can be reached at kari.lydersen@gmail.com. subscribe to Kari Lydersen's feed

Fracking 'Boom Towns' Rife with Workplace Accidents

Posted on: Feb 4, 2013, Source: In These Times

Workers, many of whom lack health insurance, face dangerous conditions, freezing weather, emotional isolation, poor nutrition, drug use, heavy drinking and epidemics of STDs.

Chicago Fast-Food Workers Begin Fight for $15 an Hour

Posted on: Dec 7, 2012, Source: In These Times

And a chance to live with some human dignity.

‘The Revolution Will Not Be Standardized’: Day Two of the Chicago Teachers Strike

Posted on: Sep 12, 2012, Source: In These Times

'Strike schools,' picket lines, and support from other unions were part of the second day of the historic work stoppage.

Big Rumbling in Chicago as Teachers Move Toward Historic Strike

Posted on: Aug 23, 2012, Source: In These Times

The teachers are possibly on the cusp of their first strike in a quarter century, with nearly 90 percent of union members voting in June to authorize one.

Not-For-Profit Hospitals Make Billions—and Provide Little Charity Care

Posted on: Aug 21, 2012, Source: In These Times

Not-for-profit hospitals are almost entirely tax exempt, in part because of the expectation they will provide free or low-cost “charity care" to those in need.

More Health and Safety Violations at Wal-Mart Warehouses: Does Anyone See a Pattern?

Posted on: Jul 22, 2012, Source: In These Times

Dust that causes nosebleeds and vomiting, driving forklifts in the dark, blocked emergency exits: these are just some of the conditions found in a California warehouse.

Unhappy Father’s Day! Paid Paternity Leave Far From Reality in United States

Posted on: Jun 18, 2012, Source: In These Times

Fathers may be more interested than ever in being active parents, but paid family leave--or even unpaid leave--is a rarity for too many working dads.

Labor Struggles, Then and Now: Workers in One Iowa Town Epitomize the Past and Present of the Labor Movement

Posted on: May 20, 2012, Source: In These Times

A dramatic and bitter labor conflict has played out in Muscatine, Iowa in recent years, though without the prominence or massive community support of a century ago.

School "Lunch Ladies" Fight for Better Food for Students--And Better Jobs

Posted on: May 7, 2012, Source: In These Times

The move to more and more processed foods has largely been one to cut labor costs, not because anyone thought the food was better for the kids.

‘We Don’t Go to Work to Be Touched’: Sexual Harassment in the Warehouse

Posted on: Apr 22, 2012, Source: In These Times

The same industry structure that allegedly allows for widespread violations of labor law also contributes to a climate of unchecked sexual harassment and retaliation.

Labor Leaders Join Civil Rights Groups to Fight Alabama's Draconian Immigration Law

Posted on: Apr 8, 2012, Source: In These Times

Union leaders, Latino community organizations, and others are heading to foreign car companies' shareholder meetings to demand they denounce Alabama's anti-immigrant law.

What's Left in Small-Town Arizona When the Mine Shuts Down

Posted on: Mar 28, 2012, Source: In These Times

The struggle of Superior, AZ is like so many US towns where the primary industry and the promise of a stable life-long job have left town, likely never to return.

The Protests Will Go On In Chicago, As Obama Moves the G8 Summit to Camp David

Posted on: Mar 9, 2012, Source: In These Times

National Nurses United and other labor and community groups will continue with plans to protest economic injustice and call for a financial transaction tax.

Racial Profiling, Republican Candidates, and Rights Violations: the Immigration Debate at Year's End

Posted on: Jan 1, 2012, Source: In These Times

Sheriff Joe Arpaio isn't the only one keeping immigration policy in the headlines--here's a look at the stories that made news as 2011 drew to a close.

Wage Theft at Wal-Mart Warehouses? Fourth Lawsuit in Two Years Filed on Behalf of Underpaid Workers

Posted on: Nov 27, 2011, Source: In These Times

Warehouse workers at a subcontractor for the country's largest retailer were paid less than minimum wage in some cases for their labor.

What's the Matter With Oklahoma? State Launches Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Muslim Crusade

Posted on: Jun 24, 2011, Source: AlterNet

While Oklahoma does not have a large immigrant population, the state has become an example of the illogical nature of anti-immigrant and anti-Islam laws.

Conservatives Want to Raise the Retirement Age -- Doing That Now Would Be Stupid and Cruel

Posted on: Sep 30, 2010, Source: AlterNet

Attacks on Social Security -- along with the transition from stable pensions to risky 401k retirement funds -- are the single biggest threat to our long-term economic security.

The Plight of Three Journalists Imprisoned in Iran Reveals the Risks That Come With Real Reporting

Posted on: Aug 1, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The work of independent freelancers willing to travel the world at their own risk and on their own dime has never been more critical.

Welcome to the New Honduras, Where Right-Wing Death Squads Proliferate

Posted on: Apr 26, 2010, Source: AlterNet

The new regime in Honduras is assassinating union leaders, teachers and journalists. Why does the U.S. support it?

Will Obama's USDA Atone for Decades of Racism?

Posted on: Mar 17, 2010, Source: AlterNet

For decades, rampant racism blocked access to critical government farm loans for thousands of farmers. President Obama appears ready to change that.

The "Slow Money" Movement May Revolutionize the Way You Think About Food

Posted on: Dec 21, 2009, Source: AlterNet

In an economy structured around industrial agriculture, sustaining small farms can be a challenge. 'Slow money' economics could be the answer.

Thousands March in 3-Day Showdown with Banking Industry

Posted on: Oct 27, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Tired of bailouts and fat paychecks for those that created the economic catastrophe, marchers made clear demands to tame an out-of-control financial system.

Revolt on Goose Island: The Chicago Factory Takeover, and What it Says About the Economic Crisis

Posted on: Aug 18, 2009, Source: Melville House Publishing

When Chicago's Republic Windows & Doors suddenly closed, workers occupied the factory and fought for their labor rights.

In Illinois, Another Workers' Rebellion Flares Up Against 'Banksters' Greed

Posted on: Aug 12, 2009, Source: AlterNet

In Illinois, a dozen union members blocked a road outside Wells Fargo’s local headquarters -- the latest in a wave of direct actions by workers.

Why Is the American Coal Foundation Setting the Curriculum at Elementary Schools?

Posted on: Jun 8, 2009, Source: In These Times

Big Coal has worked its way into the classroom.

The Consequences of 'Drill, Baby Drill': More Than 90 Oil Spills a Day in the U.S.

Posted on: Apr 15, 2009, Source: AlterNet

And that's just the fraction of reported spills. While big tanker disasters make the headlines, the daily toll of the oil industry is huge.

"Can My Employer Do That to Me?" Find Out If You're Being Treated Fairly

Posted on: Mar 12, 2009, Source: AlterNet

Labor and employment laws are complicated beasts. A new website launched by the Chicago-based national group Interfaith Worker Justice offers help.

Manufacturing Thirst: The Hidden Water Costs of Our Industrial Economy

Posted on: Oct 23, 2008, Source: Earth Island Journal

From the mining of raw materials to energy production to the manufacturing process itself, industry guzzles tons of water.

Will Oceans Be Our Best Source of Clean Power?

Posted on: Oct 16, 2008, Source: AlterNet

If certain challenges can be overcome, wave power could be a major clean energy source for the half of the world's population.

What the Economy Needs Now Are Good, Green Jobs

Posted on: Sep 25, 2008, Source: AlterNet

A national day of action tomorrow for green jobs is showing that clean energy can be our modern day gold rush.

Alaska Chooses Largest Gold Mine Over Clean Water

Posted on: Aug 29, 2008, Source: AlterNet

Alaska is one step closer to approving Pebble Mine, which threatens the world's largest salmon fishery and native communities.

Burning Tires for Power: Green Energy or Health Hazard?

Posted on: Jul 9, 2008, Source: AlterNet

The idea of burning waste tires for energy is catching on, and one city is hoping to build the biggest facility yet. But some residents are concerned.

Satisfied Sex Worker or Domestic Trafficking Victim?

Posted on: May 7, 2008, Source: AlterNet

New legislation could expand the definition of trafficking to treat many sex workers as crime victims instead of criminals.

Great Lakes Endangered by Invasive Species

Posted on: Mar 12, 2008, Source: In These Times

We know what the problem is and we know what the solution is, so why isn't anyone doing anything about it?

Shot More Than 40,000 Times, an Iraqi Artist Spreads a Message with a Paintball Gun

Posted on: Jun 21, 2007, Source: In These Times

When artist Wafaa Bilal set up a paintball gun that people could aim and fire at him over the Internet for 42 days, he never guessed that by day 20, he'd get shot more than 40,000 times and that hackers would program the gun to fire automatically.

Rolling Back the Regs

Posted on: Mar 8, 2007, Source: In These Times

The Bush administration is muscling its way past environmental protections by dictating how federal agencies interpret and enforce policies.

Families Behind Bars: Jailing Children of Immigrants

Posted on: Feb 21, 2007, Source: In These Times

Thanks to U.S. immigration policy, children (including infants and toddlers) whose parents are in immigration courts, are being locked up at detention centers.

Civil Rights Attorney Barred from Airlines Flight

Posted on: Jan 27, 2007, Source: In These Times

Kiko Martinez speaks out about the shadowy "no fly" list which leaves him and many other Americans grounded.

Target as Bad as Wal-Mart? You Decide

Posted on: Apr 30, 2006, Source: CorpWatch

When it comes to wages, working conditions and effect on communities, the two big box stores are eerily similar.

The False Promise of 'Clean Coal'

Posted on: Mar 15, 2006, Source: The NewStandard

Even a quick glance at coal-producing states like West Virginia shows that the idea of an eco-friendly use for the fossil fuel is far more misnomer than reality.

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