Mel Buer

mel_buer

Mel Buer is an independent multimedia journalist based in Los Angeles. She covers labor and movements for her newsletter Words About Work.

Cesar Chavez speaks at a 1988 rally in McFarland, California.

What We Must Learn From the Revelations About Cesar Chavez What We Must Learn From the Revelations About Cesar Chavez

The sexual predations of the late labor leader follow a depressingly familiar pattern in left organizing circles.

Mar 19, 2026 / Mel Buer

The Ohio Derailment Catastrophe Is a Case Study in Disaster Capitalism

The Ohio Derailment Catastrophe Is a Case Study in Disaster Capitalism The Ohio Derailment Catastrophe Is a Case Study in Disaster Capitalism

Rail workers say the industry has long ignored pleas for better safety protocols.

Feb 15, 2023 / Mel Buer

Commuters wait on the platform at the Diridon Amtrak Station in San Jose, California.

Are Rail Workers on Track to Win Better Working Conditions? Are Rail Workers on Track to Win Better Working Conditions?

A tentative deal to avert a national rail strike awaits a membership vote—and clarification of basic job protections.

Sep 15, 2022 / Mel Buer

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