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Strikes 2012: Major worker walkouts

In September, weeks before the election, a seven-day walkout by teachers in President Obama's Chicago hometown kept 350,000 students out of class. It was the first teachers strike in 25 years in the city, which has the nation¿s third-largest district. The fight over wages, job security and evaluations became a war of words between Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who appoints the school board.

In September, weeks before the election, a seven-day walkout by teachers in President Obama’s Chicago hometown kept 350,000 students out of class. It was the first teachers strike in 25 years in the city, which has the nation¿s third-largest district. The fight over wages, job security and evaluations became a war of words between Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who appoints the school board.   (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo)

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The resolution of the recent Southern California port strikes sent deep relief through retailers, consumers, government officials and others gearing up for a busy holiday season. But clerical workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, whose walkouts caused ships to divert to other ports or dock offshore, were hardly the first to go into strike mode this year. A look at other picket lines in 2012.

Wal-Mart workers push back on Black Friday

Wal-Mart workers protested on Black Friday around Southern California, complaining about the increasingly early start to the post-Thanksgiving shopping push while also agitating for higher wages and better healthcare. The giant discounter said in a statement that nearly 10 million register transactions occurred at stores between 8 p.m. and midnight on Thanksgiving. In October, dozens of workers - including some from Los Angeles - walked off the job. They accused Wal-Mart of retaliating against dissatisfied, vocal employees.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Fast food workers in New York demand better pay

In late November, fast food workers from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Taco Bell and KFC protested around New York City. They demanded $15 an hour in pay - a step up from the minimum wage many employees currently earn - and the right to form a union. In a statement, Burger King said its restaurants have “provided an entry point into the workforce for millions of Americans” and that they “offer compensation and benefits that are consistent with the [quick service] industry.”  (Spencer Platt / Getty Images)

AT&T workers strike over healthcare, job protection

About 20,000 AT&T workers in California, Nevada and Connecticut went on strike in August, accusing the company of unfair labor practices. The two-day walkout involved the West and East regions of the Communication Workers of America union. At issue: job protection clauses and healthcare premiums and co-payments. AT&T said in a statement that its workers have “high-quality middle-class careers with wages and healthcare benefits that are among the best in the country.”   (Etienne Franchi / AFP / Getty Images )

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