Labor UpFront

For the well-dressed Tea Party Patriot

2010-11-07T16:02:00.002-06:00

BuyCostumes.com, a national online retailer, is seeing a spike in sales of its $16.99 “Colonial Man Economy Wig,” which has wavy white synthetic hair and a ponytail. It is made in China.Also moving nicely is the $7.99 tricorn hat, also manufactured in China, and the “Generic Colonial Man” costume for $84.99, says Dotty Zolper, merchandise manager. “He comes with knickers, pants, a vest and a

Chicago's Unemployed Action Center

2010-09-01T12:14:00.001-05:00

by Bill AppelhansThe Unemployed Action Center in Chicago has been working in the community organizing folks to join the fight for jobs around the belief that a job that pays a living wage is a right not a privilege.The following is about one of those folks who came by in July to see what we were about.Janet entered the building moments before I got there. I saw her go in. She was looking at the

Locked-out Honeywell workers reject Kryptonite

2010-08-09T07:04:00.005-05:00

By Scott MarshallMetropolis, Illinois - Over 2500 steelworkers and supporters converged on Metropolis Illinois for a mass rally and march against Honeywell this past Saturday. (see video here) Metropolis calls itself the home of Superman.The Metropolis Honeywell nuclear conversion plant starts the process of making nuclear fuel and uses some of the most dangerous chemicals on earth. The plant

Kellogg's latest "prize" in the box

2010-08-02T14:01:00.002-05:00

Washington PostMonday, Aug. 2, 2010"This summer, when Kellogg recalled 28 million boxes of Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops and Honey Smacks, the company blamed elevated levels of a chemical in the packaging.Dozens of consumers reported a strange taste and odor, and some complained of nausea and diarrhea. But Kellogg said a team of experts it hired determined that there was "no harmful

Shirley Sherrod and the killing of hope and change

2010-07-22T12:56:00.003-05:00

The broader tragedy of this incident is the extent to which the feelings of national pride and hope for the future that elected our country's first minority President have been corrupted by those who resist and fear change.Sowing fear, distrust and anger is a simple matter. All that those who would sow those seeds need do is abandon their beliefs in honesty, principle and integrity and

Love me, love me, I'm a Free Marketeer

2010-07-20T17:04:00.003-05:00

Breaking News:An oil producing corporation announced the oil spill in Gulf of Mexicohas become part of its ongoing commitment to support Green programsthat conserve energy.The company's scientists and engineers have found the oil in thewater acts like a lubricant between the water and the hulls ofwatercraft operating in the contaminated areas thus reducing dragwhich saves fuel.The company has

Mexican Miners fight back: An Interview with Napoleon Gomez

2010-06-30T10:58:00.001-05:00

By Scott MarshallVancouver, Canada - In this wide ranging video interview (below), Napoleon Gomez Urrutia, President of Los Mineros, the Independent National Miners, Metallurgical and Steelworkers Union of Mexico, talks about the Mexican government's recent strike-breaking attack on copper miners in Cananea, Mexico. He describes some of the international solidarity the miners are getting from

World Labor Leaders: Reject Dictatorship of Markets

2010-06-23T11:45:00.003-05:00

Inuit Throat Singers welcome delegates to the second congress of the International Trade Union ConfederationBy Scott MarshallVancouver, Canada – World labor leaders gathered here in the second congress of the International Trade Union Confederation, are of one mind in rejecting the so-called “Washington consensus” that calls for deregulation of the banks and financial markets. In his opening

Global Union Leaders Blast Financial Greed

2010-06-21T16:04:00.008-05:00

By Scott MarshallVancouver, Canada - The second world congress of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) opened Monday in Vancouver. Guy Ryder(center), ITUC general secretary and Sharan Burrow, ITUC president, were joined by Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress in a pre-congress press conference.Each gave a brief opening statement. Each blasted different aspects of

Workers of the World Uniting for Justice

2010-06-15T15:30:00.002-05:00

By Scott MarshallThe second world congress of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is a significant event. Taking place in Vancouver, Canada, June 21 through 25th, the congress theme is “The People Now: From the Crisis to Global Justice.”(You can help us with our coverage – see below *)The congress comes on the heels of the ITUC’s Annual Survey of violations of trade union rights.

BP Gulf Gusher and Coleridge

2010-06-06T11:54:00.003-05:00

"Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink."In 2000 British Petroleum set out on a campaign to promote the new bp "as the choice for the environmentally-aware motorist.The lower-case letters were chosen because focus groups said bp is friendlier than the old imperialistic BP, which reminded folks of the old "Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the waves."Buckets of paint appeared

Republican Website Update

2010-05-27T14:39:00.003-05:00

It looks like the Republicans have struck gold in their effort to get their base to send ideas for a future Republican agenda to their new website, America Speaking Out. The ideas are pouring in."End Child Labor Laws, we coddle children too much. They need to spend their youth in the factories.""How about if Congress actually do thier job and VET or Usurper in Chief, Obama is NOT a Natural Born

Republicans Uncover More False Science In Schools

2010-05-27T13:52:00.005-05:00

House Republicans have launched a website called America Speaking Out. They are inviting public input with the idea to build grassroots support and get some ideas about crafting a new agenda for the coming elections in November.One of the first posts was a complaint from a parent about the continuing problem of false science being taught in our schools: a problem near and dear to the Republican

Rand Paul

2010-05-23T16:06:00.000-05:00

Is Rand Paul, a: prejudiced, b: a chauvinist, c: a racist?First we should define these three words in context with the discussion.Chauvinism - unreasoning devotion to ones race, sex, etc. with contempt for other races, sex, etc.Prejudices - suspicion, intolerance, or irrational hatred of other races, sex, creeds, regions, occupations, etc.Racism - any programs or practices of discrimination

Just so.

2010-04-23T12:01:00.000-05:00

A sort of CliffsNotes guide to understanding the minds of Democrats and Republicans:Democrats and Obama said to Wall Street elites - "Unless your business model depends on bilking people, there's little to fear from these new rules." April 22, 2010Republicans and Bush said to Wall Street elites - "This is an impressive crowd — the haves and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite

Main Street, Wall Street and the Big Apple

2010-04-22T19:42:00.000-05:00

In the city of New York there is a street named Wall and a district called Wall Street. The district is home to the influential financial interests of the American financial industry. There are banks, investment houses, stock exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and other related entities.Confusing the picture further, a discussion about Wall Street can mean all, some or any one

Reds put jobs fight at top of to-do list

2010-01-29T17:20:00.002-06:00

From the People's WorldThe fight for jobs, and for the unemployed, is central to any economic recovery and to any forward motion for a people's agenda. With this in mind, last week the national board of the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA) took steps to beef up its work on the economic crisis. "Labor, civil rights, women, youth and all the progressive core forces in our country are now moving to

Political courage to create jobs is lacking, AFL-CIO Trumka charges

2010-01-12T09:19:00.001-06:00

by: John WojcikPeoples WorldRichard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, in a major address today at the National Press Club in Washington, said the jobs crisis "cries out for political courage but that courage is not much in evidence. Too many people in Washington seem to think that now that we have bailed out the banks, everything will be okay." The president of the 12-million-member labor

Republican v. Republican

2009-12-27T14:03:00.002-06:00

By Scott MarshallThere he was on Christmas Eve on the TV news. Arizona Senator John Kyl, pumped with anger, calling the just passed Senate health care reform bill "a massive, very bad assault on liberty." You got to ask, whose liberty is he so concerned about? The insurance companies "liberty" to gouge us, cut benefits, exclude those who might really need coverage, and tell us in the middle of

Steelworker's Union Hall Rededicated to Workers Killed Building the Union

2009-12-06T12:07:00.006-06:00

by Scott MarshallEast Chicago, In. - Local 1010 of the United Steelworkers Union (USW) is proud of its militant history. It is also proud of its newly renovated union hall. Hundreds of 1010 members and other USW members from the surrounding area attended a spirited and festive rededication meeting this past Friday.The ceremony featured the unveiling of a large and stunning black granite slab on

‘One Worker, One Vote:’ US Steelworkers to Experiment with Factory Ownership, Mondragon Style

2009-11-04T09:27:00.001-06:00

By Carl Davidson Cross posted from Beaver County Blue Oct. 27, 2009–The United Steel Workers Union, North America’s largest industrial trade union, announced a new collaboration with the world’s largest worker-owned cooperative, Mondragon International, based in the Basque region of Spain. News of the announcement spread rapidly throughout the communities of global justice activists, trade union

Nurses ready to strike over swine flu safety

2009-10-22T11:06:00.001-05:00

By John WojcikPeople's World“When nurses are exposed to tuberculosis, the hospital notifies us. When nurses are exposed to head lice, the hospital notifies us. Why then are we not told when we are exposed to H1N1? Staff need to know if they have been exposed in order to keep our patients from further unnecessary exposure,” said Carol Koelle, an RN at St. Bernardine Medical Center in San

100,000 march for jobs in Puerto Rico

2009-10-16T08:30:00.002-05:00

by José A. CruzPeople's World"Today we declare a State of Peaceful Insurrection of the people of Puerto Rico", declared Juan Vera, Methodist bishop of Puerto Rico, as he called for going from "protests to resistance to civil disobedience" against the neoliberal economic policies of Gov. Luis Fortuño which have resulted in the laying-off of 25,000 public sector employees. Fortuño had announced

Hundreds of Thousands of Puerto Rican Workers, Faith Leaders, Students and Citizens in General Strike today

2009-10-15T12:50:00.001-05:00

National March Will Protest Massive Cuts in Essential Public Services; Republican Administration Under Investigation for Civil Rights Violations Against High School StudentsWASHINGTON - October 14 - As

Jobs Demonstration @ G20 in Pittsburgh

2009-09-21T08:24:00.018-05:00

Pittsburgh labor and community coalitions held two marches today (Sunday 9.20.09) demanding jobs and immediate relief for the unemployed aimed at the G20 meetings starting on Thursday. The marches are part of a week of demonstrations, cultural events, teach-ins and workshops protesting global economic policies that benefit transnational corporations and capital at the expense of labor, workers,

Labor movement 'fired up' in Pittsburgh

2009-09-16T05:44:00.002-05:00

John WojcikPeople's World NewspaperPITTSBURGH – Fourteen hour days, five hours of sleep maximum, grabbing a bite of fast food only now and then – it's no problem, so far, for 3,000 delegates, guests and supporters well into their second day here at the 26th Convention of the AFL-CIO.“I’ve never been so fired up,” Dean Reynolds, a delegate who works as a staffer for AFSCME and serves as president

A labor convention like no others opens in Pittsburgh

2009-09-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

John WojcikPeople's World NewspaperPITTSBURGH - A labor convention different in more ways than one from any prior gathering of the labor movement in U.S. history opened here yesterday.Some 2,000 delegates, alternates and guests kicked off the convention with a rousing tribute to retiring AFL-CIO President John Sweeney.While labor movement gatherings often feature tributes to great leaders much of

Steelworkers and Blue Green Alliance Rally for Green Jobs

2009-09-02T13:26:00.003-05:00

Lisa Jackson, the first African American head of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks to a rally in Gary Indiana. The theme was creating green jobs through investment in renewable energy industries. The rally was called by the United Steelworkers, the Blue/Green Alliance, the Sierra Club and other unions. Jackson called on labor to support the fight for a new economy based on replacing old

Cong. Jesse Jackson: “Fight continues for Public Option”

2009-08-19T09:54:00.005-05:00

Cong. Jackson: “Fight continues for Public Option” By Scott MarshallCongressman Jesse Jackson Jr (D-Il) hosted an overflow town hall meeting on health care reform last night (8.18.09) He hailed the meeting, held in a local church, as a model of civil and respectful debate and discussion. In lively back and forth with the crowd, Jackson fielded questions and invited participants to tell their

Push grows for public option

2009-08-18T09:43:00.000-05:00

John WojcikPeople's World As President Obama continues his push for comprehensive health care reform and as reports emerge about “compromises” designed to win backing from Senate Blue Dog Democrats and Republicans, Health Care for America Now, a huge national coalition, and some unions have launched a new $650,000 television ad campaign targeting GOP leaders in the House and Senate and Republican

How one union community took back a town hall on health care

2009-08-12T10:31:00.001-05:00

From the AFL-CIO Blog Here’s a firsthand account from Rosa Blumenfeld, an organizer for the North Shore (Mass.) Labor Council, on how an organized and well-briefed union presence can counter the tactics many health care reform opponents are using to disrupt congressional town hall meetings.As we arrived at the Chelmsford Town Hall, there were already people lined up to get in. Some were wearing

Labor shifts its health care drive into the streets

2009-08-11T10:17:00.000-05:00

by John WojcikPeople's World Organized groups of union members, responding to right-wing attempts to de-rail the movement for health care reform, are turning out for virtually every health care rally and town hall meeting in the nation, knocking on doors, and are holding their own demonstrations. The efforts are part of a special 30-day mobilization that began August 6.At a health care rally in

AFL-CIO blasts "corporate mobs" at recess town hall meetings

2009-08-07T10:44:00.000-05:00

By Tim WheelerPeople's Weekly World The AFL-CIO has called on its union affiliates to defend lawmakers’ health care reform Town Hall meetings from “Corporate…mob rule” in recent days.AFL-CIO President John Sweeney sent out a memo this week outlining a blue-print for union members to counter the campaign of fear and intimidation in which hired thugs are infiltrating health care town hall meetings

Philadelphia town hall meeting supports universal health care

2009-08-04T22:14:00.003-05:00

Ben SearsPeople's Weekly WorldPHILADELPHIA—The setting was the National Constitution Center on a Sunday afternoon. Some 500 people crowded in to hear HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius and PA Senator Arlen Specter (D PA) answer their questions about changing our country’s healthcare system.The organized “Tell Washington No” crowd was loud and disruptive enough to get a mention in the New York Times

Autoworkers send Obama letter on high-speed rail and jobs

2009-08-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

John RummelPeople's Weekly World Newspaper DETROIT -- The shocking news this week is Detroit’s official unemployment rate is now 17%. Unless action is taken to re-open closed auto plants and prevent others from closing, the number will surely go higher.In view of this, the recent letter to President Obama from 50 “Concerned Autoworkers, Retirees and Supporters” takes on special importance. The

The Pittsburgh AFL-CIO convention and labor unity

2009-07-30T08:08:00.001-05:00

Scott MarshallPeople's Weekly WorldThe 26th Constitutional Convention of the AFL-CIO, taking place in Pittsburgh in mid September, will be a doozy.Not since the historic 1995 convention has so much been on the line for the labor movement. The 1995 AFL-CIO convention, was the first ever contested election for top leadership of the AFL-CIO. That election signaled a critical turning point for labor.

NYTimes reports Massive Auto Layoffs in Russia

2009-07-29T11:01:00.003-05:00

Here is a sobering story from the New York Times for those who have the idea that there are vast markets for autos in Russia, India and China that will rescue the global auto industry, much less GM and Chrysler. Some argue that huge, underdeveloped countries will drive industrial and manufacturing production that will make for global economic recovery. This articles description of manufacturing

150,000 South African workers walk out

2009-07-28T13:18:00.001-05:00

From the Morning StarOriginal source: morningstaronline.co.ukJohannesburg has been brought to a grinding halt with 10,000 local government workers marching to Mary Fitzgerald Square to reaffirm their union's demand for a 15 per cent wage increase and a housing subsidy.About 150,000 workers in the country have stopped work. Unions say that most public services are disrupted.Marches are happening

The Rich Get Really Really Rich and the Working Class.......

2009-07-27T09:23:00.002-05:00

David Sirota writes in In These Times that the 1%ers, that is those in the top 1% income bracket, are not only making out like bandits, they are bitterly fighting to protect their stolen loot.Read it here.

Pride, anger mix as Chrysler workers watch plants shut down

2009-07-27T08:21:00.000-05:00

by Tony PecinovskyPWW, 07/25/09 FENTON, Mo. — As the crowd swells and hundreds of UAW members line the entrance to the Chrysler North and South Assembly plants here today, I can’t help but think of my grandfather. He gave over 30 years to Chrysler.On average, the union brothers and sisters here have given 15 to 20 years of their life to a company that has turned its back on the community.Evidence

EFCA and Wall Street Bonuses

2009-07-23T13:00:00.003-05:00

The following was posted in the Comments section of the Washington Post re its article, "Wall Street Jacks Up Pay After Bailouts."*********************************************************************Anybody out there still believe Wall Street cares about Main Street?Anybody out there still believe America needs to be run by a small group of greed driven aristocrats?Rep. Barney Frank is right,

Trumka Speech to the 2009 NAACP Convention

2009-07-23T11:52:00.001-05:00

Remarks by Richard L. Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, 100th Annual NAACP Convention, New York, NYJuly 15, 2009 Thank you. Wow, after an introduction like that I can't wait to hear what I have to say! Before anything, there are some people I want to thank, not only for their leadership of the NAACP – but also for their commitment to building a strong, new movement

CEOs Get One-Third of All Pay; Bank of America Uses Taxpayer $$ for Lobbying

2009-07-22T13:57:00.001-05:00

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG: By Tula Connell On July 22, 2009 @ 2:01 pm In Corporate Greed, Economy Two news items out today highlight how far the nation needs to go in re-balancing the economy toward working people.First, Think Progress [1] points to a Wall Street Journal analysis that shows more than one-third of all pay in the U.S. now goes to [2] executives and other highly-paid employees. Highly

CBO Report Ignores Full Savings in Health Reform

2009-07-21T08:54:00.000-05:00

By Joel WendlandHealth reform advocates pushed back this weekend against a new insurance industry and congressional Republican offensive to block or slow down President Obama's push to overhaul health care by pointing out that the most important accomplishment of reform would be to relieve in the financial burden the current broken health system has on the economy.In a teleconference with

Thousands of British steelworkers march to save jobs

2009-07-20T11:48:00.000-05:00

Original source: morningstaronline.co.ukThousands of steelworkers and their families have marched through Redcar in a campaign to save the Corus steel plant.Over 5,000 workers and their families sent a powerful message to the government with the Save Our Steel march as they demanded help for the struggling plant which is the major employer in Redcar and a key industry for Teesside.Two thousand

Reports of the death of union cardcheck still premature

2009-07-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

by John WojcikA report in the New York Times today that says senators have “dropped” the majority sign-up provision of the Employee Free Choice Act is not accurate.A spokesperson for Sen. Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat who is shepherding the bill through the Senate, said that “no particular provisions of the bill have been agreed to and cannot be agreed to until there is an entire bill that can be

Labor, doctors and small business owners back health reform

2009-07-17T07:51:00.001-05:00

By Joel WendlandHealth care reform gained new momentum this week. Wednesday, July 15, the Senate HELP committee passed a version of the bill that closely fits President Obama's main principles for reform. The same day, House Democrats announced the introduction of their own health reform and its referral to three major committees who finalize the bill.July 16, the American Medical Association

Steelworker head hails House health reform bill

2009-07-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

PITTSBURGH -- Leo W. Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers (USW), issued the following statement July 15 in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ health care reform bill:“Members of the United Steelworkers (USW) and their families are appreciative of efforts by the U.S. House leadership to fix our broken health care system by introducing ‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act’ (

Building Labor Solidarity with the Honduran People

2009-07-13T16:14:00.001-05:00

By Scott MarshallDan Kovalik, United Steelworkers union (USW) senior associate general counsel, just returned Friday from a four day trip to Honduras. He went with a delegation of seven people to get a firsthand look at the situation facing the country after the military coup that ousted democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya. The Steelworkers union and the global union that it helped

On the March for EFCA in Arkansas

2009-07-11T20:38:00.000-05:00

NEWS RELEASEOn Saturday July 11th, national labor leaders joined over 1,500 Arkansas workers in Little Rock for a rally in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, which will restore workers’ freedom to join a union and bargain for a better life.AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker, the first African-American executive officer of the AFL-CIO and widely known civil rights leader,

Franken Signs On As EFCA Co-Sponsor

2009-07-09T17:31:00.001-05:00

Sam Stein Huffington PostHours after he was seated, Sen. Al Franken, D-MN, let it be known that he would be sign on as a co-sponsor to the Employee Free Choice Act, the labor-backed provision that would allow unions to more easily organize, as his first legislative activity."I just became a cosponsor of my first bill in the Senate, the Employee Free Choice Act," the Minnesota Democrat declared at

Push begins for new stimulus bill

2009-07-08T03:10:00.001-05:00

People's Weekly Worldby John Wojcik As the reality of a recession far worse than anyone believed it was earlier this year takes hold, labor and its allies are laying the groundwork for another stimulus battle this fall. They are making their plans even as the Obama administration and Democratic leaders say it’s still too early to consider another recovery package.The AFL-CIO and Change to Win,

Chicago Rally Against Illinois Budget Cuts

2009-07-03T04:29:00.003-05:00

June 30, 2009Hundreds of community and labor activists, including direct victims of drastic proposed budget cuts by the State of Illinois, rallied to demand "No Cuts." They demanded that the legislature take steps to pass a budget to preserve vital social services. Several times the crowd spontaneously burst into chants of "Tax the Rich."

Congress Hotel Strikers - Still Strong after Six Years

2009-06-16T13:06:00.003-05:00

Chicago Congress Hotel workers have been fighting for 6 years for a decent contract. Faced with wage cuts and other unfair demands the workers walked out 6 long years ago - still they fight on with ever growing labor and community support. This week the battle also shifts to City Hall when the Chicago City Council will consider denying the Hotel permits it needs for expansion. This year a host of

L.A. Free Choice Rally \

2009-06-10T14:38:00.008-05:00

At a rally on June 3 at Senator Dianne Feinstein's L.A. office, Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor calls on Senator Feinstein to "Let President Obama Sign The Employee Free Choice Act!"

Card Check and Gut Check

2009-05-14T11:48:00.003-05:00

By Harold Meyerson Thursday, May 14, 2009 If our nation was governed by business's version of democratic choice, we would hold elections to determine the winner, but nearly half the time the incumbent would remain in power even if he lost. In its campaign to derail the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA),

Merrillville Indiana USW Rally "Keep it Made in America"

2009-05-12T13:28:00.004-05:00

On May 11 hundreds of Steelworkers rallied in Merrillville Indiana demanding that manufacturing jobs be maintained in America.Lonnie Randolf, Indiana State Representative and Tom Conway, United Steelworkers Vice President speaking:

Falling Wage Syndrome

2009-05-04T16:27:00.003-05:00

Ilinois Steelworkers protest Plant Closing

2009-05-01T20:22:00.002-05:00

Photos by Scott MarshallHundreds of Steelworkers and retirees from USW Local 7367 and District 7 held a protest demonstration at the Federal Building in the Chicago Loop April 30th to demand that ArcelorMittal, the largest steel company in the world, "Use It or Sell It." ArcelorMittal is closing it's Hennepin, Illinois plant and destroying 300 good steelmaking jobs. The company is the largest

MayDay: Born in the USA

2009-05-01T08:20:00.001-05:00

From Bruce BostickDear Friends--- Happy May Day May 1st is May Day, the International Workers Holiday. In every nation on earth working people gather together to celebrate a holiday dedicated to the folks that labor and produce all wealth. As well, it is a day to protest against bad conditions for working people and to join together to fight for a better and more just world. However, a great

Specter To Switch Parties

2009-04-28T11:36:00.002-05:00

The New York TimesApril 28, 2009By Carl HulseSenator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said on Tuesday he would switch to the Democratic party, potentially presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administration’s new agenda. “Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party

Labor on the Road to Unity

2009-04-22T10:50:00.002-05:00

By Scott MarshallMayday is a great time to think about labor unity. Labor unity is not static. Labor does not “arrive” at a final place called unity. Labor unity, like the broader fight for working class unity, is a constant journey. It is a continuous march up hills and around obstacles. At times it is a difficult hike over rough terrain through rain snow and sleet, against powerful headwinds.

Steelworkers March for Justice and Dignity in Chicago

2009-04-20T07:04:00.015-05:00

Photo's by Scott MarshallFriday, April 17 Steelworkers and allies including Chicago Jobs w/ Justice, held a protest March in front of Commercial Forged Products plant in Chicago. Since signing a new union contract a year ago, CFP has mounted a vicious anti-union campaign targeting Black and Latino union members and stewards in particular for harassment and unfair treatment. Charles Gilyard,

Unemployment -- not a ‘lagging indicator’ of economy

2009-04-15T15:09:00.001-05:00

Author: Jim Genova People's Weekly World Newspaper, 04/10/09 16:01 It is conventional wisdom pontificated ad nauseam on business channels like CNBC and Bloomberg that employment figures are “lagging indicators” of the state of a country’s economy.Their argument is that as recessions begin businesses start to contract the

Socialism has failed. Now capitalism is bankrupt. So what comes next?

2009-04-12T12:37:00.008-05:00

The headline may be a bit sensational but the article offers some food for thought - BABy Eric HobsbawmThe Guardian (UK)April 10 2009The 20th century is well behind us, but we have not yetlearned to live in the 21st, or at least to think in away that fits it. That should not be as difficult as itseems, because the basic idea that dominated economicsand politics in the last century has

Of Long Fuses and Seven League Boots

2009-04-08T13:33:00.002-05:00

By Scott MarshallI don’t know if Steven Greenhouse, of the New York Times, writes his own headlines. Doubt it. But I was sure struck by his article headlined, “In America, Labor has an Unusually Long Fuse.” (Read it here.) It reminded me that Friedrich Engels once said something to the effect that American workers are slow to move, but when they do, they move with “seven-league boots.” Meaning

Standoff Ends at Caterpillar Plant in France

2009-04-01T16:09:00.003-05:00

By DAVID JOLLY Published: April 1, 2009, The New york TimesPARIS — Workers at a Caterpillar plant in the French Alps let their bosses go Wednesday after holding them overnight in a dispute over their severance packages. The Caterpillar executives, jeered by union members, were escorted from the plant by police and union security, after being detained for more than 24 hours,

Labor board says Republic Windows violated laws

2009-03-30T12:46:00.003-05:00

After 8 years of Bush's anti -labor policies this is a breath of fresh air. Is it a sign that under the Obama administration workers will get justice and a fair shake? All indications so far say yes.Support the Employee Free Choice Act! - Bill AppelhansChicago Sun-TimesMarch 30, 2009BY FRANCINE KNOWLES Scott Marshall Melvin Maklin, one of the sit in strikers at Republic Windows brings out chants of, "Yes We Can" when he tells the crowd, "We have a new president. He says, Yes we can."

Economic Crisis:

2008-11-25T15:51:00.001-06:00

Global Labor Needs a Global StimulusBy Scott Marshall“Workers of the World Unite” is back by popular demand. And not just by demand, but by necessity.Global transnational corporations and their partners finance capital are working full time to craft an economic solution to the world crisis that preserves their enormous profits and power while putting the burden of recovery on working people. How

2008-11-07T12:06:00.000-06:00

Obama Wins! Labor Wins! Working Families Win! The American people reject policies of greedand union-busting!By Scott MarshallPresident-elect Barack Obama.Those words ring with meaning. For organized labor they ring with pride, hope, and energy for the struggles ahead. No one feels like “labor’s candidate won, so now we can go home and rest.” Rather, as

What's a union gonna do for me?

2008-10-21T14:19:00.000-05:00

By Melissa O'Rourke For young workers who may not know what the advantages of being in a union are, the question "What's a union gonna do for me?" was answered in a report released last week by the Center for Economic and Policy Research. The report detailed good news and bad news. The bad news is that workers aged 18-29 have the lowest unionization rates of any age group, and they have

Bush Hugs New Deal

2008-10-14T11:01:00.005-05:00

The irony of it leaves one's toes tingling.In 2000 Bush invaded the White House with a copy of FDR's New Deal in his back pocket. His plan was to dig a deep hole in the South Lawn and drop it in.Today, as Bush's days as President dwindle down, the headline of a major newspaper informs us, "Bush Forces 9 Major Banks To Accept Partial Nationalization."Gosh!

A not so Merry Christmas for Ohio workers

2008-10-10T09:56:00.001-05:00

News from CWA: GM Refuses IUE-CWA Efforts to Keep Moraine, Ohio, Plant Open Rejecting the efforts of IUE-CWA to negotiate a way to save a General Motors assembly plant in Moraine, Ohio, the company has announced it will shut down the plant and lay off the final 1,400 workers two days before Christmas. "IUE-CWA and the Local 84798 negotiating committee worked closely together to try to rescue

Support Striking Colombian Sugar Cane Workers!

2008-10-09T11:40:00.000-05:00

From the IUF: Some eighteen thousand Colombian sugar workers in the Cauca river valley region, organized in the National Union of Sugarcane Cutters (SINALCORTEROS) have been on strike since September 15. The IUF is requesting international support for their struggle.While sugar ethanol production is booming and the mill owners reap super profits fortified by tax exemptions, the condition of the

International and European union leaders call for crisis action from the G7 Finance Ministers

2008-10-09T11:05:00.001-05:00

From the ITUC:Brussels, 8 October 2008: The General Secretaries of the ITUC, ETUC and TUAC have sent an open letter to the G7 Finance Ministers meeting on 10 October, calling for a major recovery plan to stave off the risks of a global recession that goes beyond the coordinated cuts in interest rates announced by six central banks. The mounting financial chaos is taking its toll on the real

Today is World Day for Decent Work!

2008-10-07T13:45:00.002-05:00

From the AFL-CIO NOW Blog:Global Unions Join for World Day for Decent Work digg_url = 'http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/10/07/global-unions-join-for-world-day-for-decent-work/'; digg_title = 'Global Unions Join for World Day for Decent Work'; digg_skin = 'compact'; by James Parks, Oct 7, 2008 Around the world, thousands of workers will observe the first World Day for Decent Work

Statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on the State of the Economy and the Jobs Report

2008-10-03T15:19:00.001-05:00

October 03, 2008 What will it take for our elected leaders to help Main Street? Today’s news that our nation lost another 159,000 jobs last month – bringing the total number of jobs lost this year to 760,000 – should set off alarm bells at every level about the need to pass an economic stimulus package and provide real help to stem the continuing flood of foreclosures before asking

A Modest Bailout Proposal

2008-09-29T12:50:00.002-05:00

How about a trickle-up Bailout instead of trickle down.By Scott MarshallPerhaps the biggest fault of the bailout being debated (possibly passed by the time you read this) is that it is based on the idea that the relief given to Wall Street will trickle down to hard-hit working class folks on Your Street.Who knows? Given that the underlying problem of crazy predatory mortgages and lending

Thanks but no thanks!

2008-09-23T17:59:00.002-05:00

Dear Members of Congress,As a taxpayer in good standing, I wish to inform you that I choose to opt out of participating in the financial crisis bailout.Please send my $2,300 as soon as is conveniently possible.Thank you and good luck in your endeavor.

Gain, Blame and Pain.

2008-09-23T14:07:00.006-05:00

Two of the burning questions coming out of the current financial crisis brought on by the mortgage scandal are: who gets the blame and who gets the pain.The apologists for capitalist excess say the the loaners and the borrowers share in the blame.Let's consider.For years Bush pushed his ownership society plan. Owning a home he told us at every opportunity was part of the American Dream and now

Healthcare plan? Hand sanitizer

2008-09-10T13:47:00.001-05:00

Employee benefits package? Soda in the break room. Welcome to a workplace that’s seriously out of whack:Let's face it. Something's wrong when CEOs rake in hundreds of times what their employees earn, and workers get the boot just for talking about unions. It could almost be a bad joke if it weren't such a serious problem. That's why we teamed up with the award-winning producers at Brave New

Striking Machinists at Boeing ask: “How do you hide $13 billion?”

2008-09-09T14:29:00.000-05:00

Author: John Wojcik“How do you hide $13 billion? Do you stuff it in an airplane? Do you give it to the CEO? Or, do you share it with your workers?”These questions are printed on union flyers being distributed by thousands of striking Boeing workers at locations in Washington state, Oregon and Kansas as the total shutdown of the nation's largest airplane maker entered its second day.Unprecedented

Labor seizes the moment, unites to elect Obama

2008-08-26T13:30:00.001-05:00

By John Wojcik, Labor Editor, People's Weekly World(Editor's Note: John Wojcik is reporting daily from the DNC in Denver, this is the first in a series of articles from John this week) Author: John Wojcik People's Weekly World Newspaper, 08/25/08 17:17 DENVER — Two thousand union

Department of Labor scored for ignoring wage theft

2008-07-23T09:36:00.000-05:00

By John Wojcik, People's Weekly WorldIn an unlikely team-up, impartial investigators from the Government Accountability Office joined a low-income workers’ advocate at Congressional hearings July 15 to tell lawmakers that President Bush’s Labor Department has failed to enforce minimum wage and overtime laws and that low-wage workers are routinely being robbed of their earnings.Enforcement of laws

Workers Get it

2008-07-14T21:09:00.001-05:00

By Scott MarshallI went to my local Walgreens and had a very interesting conversation at checkout. The very friendly clerk leaned over close and told me under her breath that “corporate” had ordered the store to take all Obama material out of the store. Until then Obama’s book “Audacity of Hope” was on display near the checkout isle. “And,” she added, “they made us take off our Obama buttons. So

Workers at auto plant keep McCain at a distance

2008-07-10T16:27:00.000-05:00

By John Wojcik, People's Weekly WorldOnly a handful of auto workers at the Lordstown, Ohio plant showed up for a meeting that management arranged for those who wanted to meet Republican presidential candidate John McCain when he toured the plant June 27.“Management invited him,” said Tim Niles, a worker in the plant. “It had nothing to do with us. We’re with Obama.”The problem that the virtual

Unions say ‘free trade’ pact would stoke Colombia strife

2008-07-10T16:19:00.000-05:00

By John Wojcik, People's Weekly WorldTeamsters Union president James Hoffa and Jorge Gamboa, president of the National Petroleum Workers Union of Colombia, warn that ratifying the U.S.-Colombia “free trade” agreement would continue the long civil war that results in hostage-taking there.The deal, they say, would let big multinational monopolies further cut Colombian workers’ wages and slash their

Steelworkers Convention 2008 – History in the making

2008-07-09T09:13:00.002-05:00

By Scott Marshall The United Steelworkers union (USW) made history with its 2008 convention just held in Las Vegas. That’s History with a capital “H.” The kind of history that can forever change labor and our country. The kind of history that was made in 1935 when the CIO - Committee for Industrial Organization was formed. The establishment of the CIO was neither the beginning, nor the end of the

Steelworkers: "Obama is our voice for change, won't let racism hold us back"

2008-07-06T01:16:00.006-05:00

USW President Leo Gerard swears in Carol Landry the unions first woman national officer. PWW photo by Scott Marshall LAS VEGAS — Over 3,000 Steelworker delegates filled the Las Vegas Bally Hotel convention center last week with raring-to-go enthusiasm for “taking back America for working people” in the 2008