Unofficial action by airport workers has forced Donald Trump to end the longest unpaid ‘furlough’ of government employees in history. Air traffic controllers and security staff had increasingly not attended work, threatening the vital commercial flow of air transport.
The president of flight attendants’ union AFA, Sara Nelson, called her members out in support. A couple of weeks earlier, Nelson had even raised the need for a general strike.
Within hours, Trump conceded a temporary budget – without funding for his infamous wall – to prevent the strike spreading. Although he is hemmed in on all sides, the big business Democratic opposition could still negotiate a deal which includes divisive attacks on migrants.
As the victorious LA teachers show – strikes get results. US unions should seize the initiative and press their members’ demands now, while the administration is on the back foot.