Preparing for what comes after the 2024 presidential election.
Crisis & Cover-up at Red Onion Super-Max
In May 2023, an inmate at Red Onion Super-Max set himself on fire in order to be transferred out of the institution where he feared for his life. At least two more men have taken the same desperate action since.
Autumn 2024 Issue
The Autumn 2024 edition of The Virginia Defender was published November 6, 2024. Click here for a full PDF.
Norfolk rally demands ‘Reopen the Ford cases!’
Former prisoners, family members and their supporters held a rally Oct. 12 at Norfolk’s Town Point Park to demand justice for people they say were wrongfully convicted as a result of actions taken by a crooked cop.
Richmond Public Schools fires union president
On March 4, 2024, Richmond Public Schools terminated Richmond Education Association President Neri Suarez in a move that REA is describing as retaliation for union activities. REA represents the largest bloc of RPS employees, who are organized into seven bargaining units represented by four unions.
Postal workers press for decent contracts
On Oct. 18, the USPS and the largest union representing its employees, the National Association of Letter Carriers, came to a tentative agreement on a new contract. The NALC represents some 295,000 active and retired non-rural letter carriers. This was a long time coming. NALC members had been working without a contract since their last collective bargaining agreement expired in May 2023.
Pensions the big issue as Boeing strike continues
On Sept. 12, some 33,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers in California, Washington and Oregon rejected a tentative contract agreement with the troubled aerospace giant and voted to go on strike. At issue: 10 years of wage stagnation and, the major sticking point, the stripping away of workers’ pensions.
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