Stonemountain Workers Score 3-year Contract, Raises, Healthcare!
The workers and management at Stonemountain & Daughter, a Berkley California based Fabric Store, have signed a new contract. Tentative agreement on the contract was reached in the final bargaining session on the night of June 26th, the shop vote was unanimous in favor of the contract, and the contract was officially ratified on July 22nd.
The gains for all the workers in the shop are huge: a raise in the starting wage from $9.25 per hour to $10.60 per hour, employer funded health care for employees working over 24 hours per week, a 35% raise in paid time off, new holidays, and even an easy chair in the break room. In a win for the campaign to retain the eight hour day, all overtime is now guaranteed to be voluntary, meaning that anyone who chooses to work only eight hours cannot be disciplined for refusing overtime.
Rapport final du BST
Click To Listen: WIN Week In Review August 8-10, 2008
Headlines:
WIN Week In Review August 8-10, 2008
WIN Week In Review August 8-10, 2008
By Doug Cunningham
The CWA and IBEW are holding “ready to walk” pickets as labor contract talks continue at Verizon. The unions have set a new deadline of midnight Sunday. The strike clock remains stopped at 11:59 p.m. August 2nd. The unions say progress is being made at the bargaining table and the talks are being held around the clock in an effort to reach an agreement. Some 70,000 CWA and IBEW members are ready to strike if necessary Sunday at midnight.
—
In California workers and their unions are fighting back against anti-worker actions by the governor that cut 20,000 state jobs and would slash the wages of 200,000 state workers to the federal minimum wage. The SEIU has filed suit against the move. State Controller John Chiang is refusing to comply with the governor’s order and says even if he did it would take months to implement and would trigger more lawsuits. The California Labor Federation’s Jeremy Smith says workers are not to blame for California’s budget problems.
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines August 8, 2008
Headlines:
Economic Report: Stimulus Checks Didn’t Help Retailers In July – 08/08/08
Economic Report:
Did the stimulus checks do any good? Not in July. According to a report from Thomas Reuters, 65 percent of retailers missed their July sales estimates. The last of the more than $100 billion dollars worth of stimulus checks went out in the middle of July, but the majority had already been sent in the previous two months. Wal-Mart was one of the retailers that missed estimates. The company had projected a 3.4 percent sales increase, but only saw 3 percent.
California High Court Bans Non-Compete Clauses For Former Employees – 08/08/08
Non-compete clauses may not be as restrictive as they once were in California. Jesse Russell reports:
On Wednesday the California Supreme Court ruled that employers can’t limit the right of former employees to work for competition. The court ruled that “non-compete” clauses conflict with the rights of “employee mobility” and “open competition.” In the unanimous decision, one justice wrote the “an employer cannot by contract restrain a former employee from engaging in his or her profession, trade, or business.”
U.S. Postal Workers Rack Up High Scores For On-Time Delivery – 08/08/08
U.S. Postal workers have reason to be proud as the Postal Service announced on Wednesday a nearly perfect service record during the third quarter of 2008. On-time overnight delivery rates reached 97 percent, the highest score ever achieved by the government organization. Two-day service had a 95-percent on-time rate, and three-day service was on-time 94 percent. The United States Post Office was established in 1776 by Benjamin Franklin.
United Steel Workers Protect Workers In Paper Company Sale – 08/08/08
By Doug Cunningham
Thanks to a successor clause negotiated by the United Steel Workers there won’t be any job losses or changes in employment terms for workers at Weyerhaeuser. The union managed to protect workers in the sale of Weyerhaeuser to International Paper. The contract, wages, pensions and benefits were all simply transferred to the new owner. Workers also retained their seniority rights.
New 9/11 Healthcare Bill Introduced In Congress – 08/08/08
By Doug Cunningham
A new bill in Congress would guarantee federally funded health care for 9/11 first responders, clean-up workers, residents and students in the area of the attack. Robert Spencer is with The World trade Center Community-Labor Coalition.
[Spencer]: “We have a situation where it’s sort of a national disgrace that the federal government has yet to make a firm, ongoing sort of commitment to the long-term health needs of those injured by 9/11. And so it’s really past due for Congress and the Bush administration to do the right thing here.”
The bill would create “Centers of Excellence” to centralize health data and offer ongoing treatment. The bill would also re-open a compensation fund for 9/11 victims. Spencer says New York’s congressional delegation and other sponsors of the bill are committed to getting this passed.
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines August 7, 2008
Headlines:
Economic Report: Freddie Mac And Fannie May Hit With More Red Ink – 08/07/08
Economic Report:
Bad news for Freddie Mac on Wednesday suggests that the country hasn’t seen the end of the fall out from the housing crisis. The government-chartered firm said it had a net loss of 821 million dollars. The loss was three times more than what analysts had forecasted. The firm doubled reserves for future mortgage losses to $2.8 billion. This is the Freddie Mac’s fourth straight quarterly loss.
Three More NEA Locals Affiliate With AFL-CIO – 08/07/08
By Doug Cunningham
The AFL-CIO’s Executive Council, meeting in Chicago, says three more National Education Association locals have affiliated with the labor federation. They’re in Santa Maria, California, Kenosha, Wisconsin and Massachusetts. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says the groundbreaking arrangement with the NEA allowing its locals to affiliate with the AFL-CIO means greater collaboration in the fight for a better future for the next generation. Also at the Chicago meeting, the AFL-CIO announced three new members on the Executive Council that runs the federation. They are AFT President Randi Weingarten, Matthew Loeb, President of the International Association of State and Theatrical Employees and Jill Levy, President of the American Federation of School Administrators.
Négociations coordonnées dans l’hôtellerie – Les salarié-es du Château-Champlain joignent le mouvement de débrayage – La CSN fait le point sur la réduction d’une chambre
Négociations coordonnées de l’hôtellerie – Un quatrième règlement à l’hôtel Classique
California’s Controller Says State Has Money To Pay Workers Their Full Pay – 08/07/08
The battle between California State Controller, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the state legislature that has state workers caught in the middle continues to heat up. Jesse Russell reports:
Last week California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed the wages of some 235,000 state workers to the federal minimum because the state legislature is eight weeks overdue in passing the state budget. Schwarzenegger said the state needed to cut the wages in order to save money, but on Wednesday state controller, John Chiang said the state, even with the full worker wages, has enough money to make it until October. The Governor’s administration has expressed concern over the new numbers coming out of the controller’s office and is examining them carefully. Chiang had previously said he will not follow through with the executive order. The Department of Personnel Administration sent a letter to Chiang on Tuesday with the names of 48,000 workers who will not have wages cut because they are deemed “essential.” Those workers include firefighters, state police, water resource workers, and military officers, among others. A number of other professionals, including lawyers and doctors, will receive no pay because there are no wage protections under state law that say they should receive the minimum wage.
UFCW Says Wal-Mart May Close Garage That’s getting A Union Contract – 08/07/08
By Doug Cunningham
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1518 in Canada says Wal-Mart may close a garage in Gatineau when workers there get their first collective bargaining agreement. The UFCW says Wal-Mart has hinted it will close the garage. The workers are awaiting their first collective bargaining agreement from a binding arbitration process. They unionized in 2005. The union says it expects a contract to be imposed soon, making it the first at a North American Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart closed a store in Jonquire after workers there formed a union.
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines August 6, 2008
Headlines:
Economic Report: More U.S. Workers Forced Into Part-Time Status – 08/06/08
Economic Report:
A new report in the New York Times highlights a disturbing trend as the economy weakens – nearly 4 million workers have had their hours cut so drastically that they are now working as part timers. The last time the country has seen so many involuntary part time workers was in 1995 and there hasn’t been such a drastic cut back in hours since the 1950s. Part-time and temporary workers make up nearly a quarter of the entire U.S. workforce.
USW Workers In Three States To Vote On New Contract – 08/06/08
By Doug Cunningham
United Steel Workers members at Packaging Corporation of America are voting Thursday on acceptance of a new five-year master contract agreement covering 1200 workers. The contract covers mills in Tennessee, Michigan, and Wisconsin. USW President, Leo Gerard says this agreement lays the foundation for economic security for these workers during a time when the paper industry is undergoing massive change from economic globalization. Details aren’t being released until the ratification vote, but the USW says the contract includes wage and benefit increases and groundbreaking job security provisions.
EBRA : Liberté de l’Est, DNA, Est Républicain
Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace : La situation aujourd’hui à Mulhouse
2ème Assises Internationales du Journalisme
LMD : les étudiants infirmiers haussent le ton
La CES invite la BCE à adopter une politique monétaire tournée vers l’avenir
La CES veut voir l’amélioration de la directive sur le temps de travail et non son affaiblissement
CGG-Veritas : Grève chez les prospecteurs pétroliers
Abus de CDD : la Poste du Tarn condamnée en appel à Toulouse
Magasins Casa Nova : 7 sans-papiers grévistes régularisés
Hôpital de Carhaix : Plusieurs centaines de manifestant à la préfecture de Quimper
« Pourquoi le gouvernement traite-t-il le dialogue social par le mépris ? »
Temps de travail: Les apprentis sorciers européens
La consommation sévèrement ébranlée par les hausses de prix: le gouvernement doit agir!
Travail du dimanche: ConsoFrance (FO) s’oppose à l’éclatement des liens sociaux et familiaux.
Les travailleurs/euses de Coca-Cola lancent l’Alliance syndicale mondiale
Des mesures urgentes doivent être adoptées au Sommet mondial sur la sécurité alimentaire pour résoudre la crise
Organisation internationale du Travail : Les candidats de la CSI ont été élus au Conseil d’administration
Comparution devant la Commission de l’application des normes
Vinci remporte un pipeline de 105 millions d’euros
18 juin 2008 – grève audiovisuel
18 juin 2008 – grève audiovisuel
Le dialogue social victime de l’attentat contre les 35 heures
Chérèque: “CGT et CFDT n’ont pas de dessein machiavélique”
La CFDT refuse de signer un accord sur l’intéressement à EDF
SNCF : la direction tente de renouer le dialogue sur le fret
Préavis de grève SUD-Rail le 09 juin à la SNCF
FGAAC-CFDT-CFTC-UNSA reçues par la SNCF
Journée CGT-CFDT du 17 juin: le Sgen-CFDT appelle les profs à “se mobiliser”
Global: On July 17activists in 100 cities and 25 nations come together to take back the economy
Canada: Union blockades GM headquarters in Oshawa
Canada: Sweeping cuts put beleaguered GM on collision course with auto workers
Japan: Dying from overwork in ‘the Land of Karoshi’
Japan: Dying from overwork in ‘the Land of Karoshi’
USA: SEIU targets private equity firms : takes anti-buyout campaign worldwide
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines June 4, 2008
Headlines:
Economic Report: U.S. Working Families Continue To Face “Headwinds” – 06/04/08
Economic Report:
Stormy weather is the forecast from Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke. On Tuesday, he addressed the International Monetary Conference and said, “Households continue to face significant headwinds, including falling house prices, a softer job market, tighter credit, and higher energy prices, and consumer sentiment has declined sharply since the fall.” He did offer some relatively good news, including that the demand for U.S. goods and services overseas is relieving some pressure.
NLRB Chief Cancels New York Appearance To Avoid Picketing By NLRB Workers – 06/04/08
New York University’s Annual Conference of Labor is suddenly short a speaker, potentially over fears of a protest by his employees. Jesse Russell reports.
National Labor Relations Board General Counsel, Ronald Meisburg has cancelled plans to speak at the 61st Annual Conference on Labor at New York University this weekend. The cancellation came as the National Labor Relations Board Union announced plans to protest Meisburg’s appearance over his refusal to bargain with the union. The NLRB is charged with enforcing Federal Labor Law, a law that by refusing to negotiate with the union, Meisburg is allegedly violating. In 2005, the Federal Labor Relations Authority granted four separate groups the right to consolidate under one bargaining unit. Meisburg disagreed with the decision and is challenging it in Federal Court. He has refused to bargain with the union until the court makes a decision. It is estimated that the decision may not come until 2010.
Canadian Auto Workers, Ohio UAW Local Vow To Fight GM Plant Closings – 06/04/08
By Doug Cunningham
Canadian Auto Workers President, Buzz Hargrove says GM can’t legally close the Oshawa Ontario truck plant and his union will fight it. GM said Tuesday it’s closing four North American truck and SUV plants, including two in the U.S. one in Mexico, and the Oshawa, Ontario plant. Hargrove says the union contract there does not permit GM to close the plant, and the union demanded at least one shift remain at the facility. The CAW has not ruled out a walkout over this issue. The UAW local in Moraine, Ohio meanwhile, says it will also fight that plant closing. U.S. Senator Herb Kohl says the closing of the Wisconsin plant is a tragedy for the local community. He’ll do everything in his power to convince GM to reconsider. This awful news for autoworkers comes on the heels of the news that 19,000 GM workers out of a total workforce of 74,000 have opted to accept buyouts and leave the company. Global economic policies have led to a saturation of non-union built import cars and trucks in the U.S., destroying the high U.S. manufacturing wage and benefits structure built up over generations by workers and their unions.
Les effets de la grève des laitiers se ressentent
Plus de 1.000 fonctionnaires flamands en grève
Roubaix : grève suivie à l’hôtel des finances
Grève chez les prospecteurs pétroliers de la CGG-Veritas
accord salarial dans le secteur offshore, la grève évitée
Météo-France: appel à la grève et à une manifestation nationale jeudi
Grève à Transvilles après un plan d’économies
Les TCA crient à la trahison
Les TCA crient à la trahison
Manifestation monstre devant l’hôtel de ville de Québec
Manifestation monstre devant l’hôtel de ville de Québec
Coup d’éclat aux audiences du CRTC
Météo-France en grève demain
Thomson Grass Valley France veut diviser par 2 les RTT
Bureau Veritas fait l’impasse sur 307 millions d’euros de capacité d’investissement
« Il est toujours temps d’ouvrir la négociation sur le temps de travail » – François Chérèque CFDT
OIT : Renforcer la défense des normes du travail
Les leaders syndicaux appellent à résister aux pressions des lobbies lors de l’examen de propositions de réglementation des fonds private equity et hedge funds
Les ex-travailleurs d’Africamer annoncent la reprise de la grève de la faim
ArcelorMittal et des syndicats signent un accord mondial innovant sur la santé et la sécurité
Morbihan – Enseignants CFDT. Remobilisation dès la rentrée
Jean-Claude Mailly prédit “une explosion sociale”
CFDT Défense : pas réforme sans dialogue social
Alumine : Deuxième jour de grève à Fria
Alumine : Vers la fin de la grève à Fria ?
Le secrétaire général René Roy présente le mémoire de la FTQ sur la démocratie et la gouvernance dans les commissions scolaires
Québec, le mardi 3 juin 2008 – Le secrétaire général de la Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), René Roy, a présenté devant les membres de la Commission parlementaire de l’Éducation le mémoire de la FTQ sur la démocratie et la gouvernance.
D’entrée de jeu, le secrétaire général a salué la décision du gouvernement de ne pas remettre en cause l’existence des commissions scolaires.
La FTQ voit également d’un bon œil la volonté du gouvernement de mettre un terme à la décentralisation vers les directions d’écoles, une tendance dont les effets sont douteux sur la qualité des services, l’équité et les conditions de travail.
Téléchargez le mémoire.
E-Z Supply Ordered to Pay IWWs $1 Million: An IU 460 Legal Update
From Industrial Worker, June 2008
Since the IWW Industrial Union 460 began organizing in foodstuffs warehouses 3 years ago, we’ve organized in ten workplaces with varying degrees of success. One issue at every shop has been the employer’s failure to comply with wage and hour laws.
Many companies have retaliated by firing workers for their union activity. Workers have fought back through strikes, pickets, demonstrations, and selective legal action, among other tactics. We find legal action to be most effective when combined with these other methods, and when viewed as a means and not an end. This is a report on our legal status, but readers should understand that legal action is one of many tools workers are using to win their demands.
About a year and a half after we began utilizing legal action, several favorable rulings have recently come down and several settlements have been reached. Since the rulings have just came down, companies have not yet begun making payments.
Handyfat Trading (now called HDF Trading) read more
Homme, travail et vie familiale
Entretien avec Didier Afanda, membre du comité mondial, FNSTBC
Les coûts de main-d’oeuvre varient de 1 à 20
La CES contribuera à la campagne d’information sur le réglement REACH
Réunion de branche Chimie inter-territoriale Grenoble 15 Mai 2008
La police en grève contre le laxisme de la justice
Les syndicats demandent à la Chambre des Communes d’adopter les amendements au projet de loi sur le budget
Scabs au Journal de Québec: Dernière journée d’audience à la Commission des relations du travail
McGuinty et Charest doivent éviter le piège de l’ACIMMO
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines June 3, 2008
Headlines:
Economic Report: U.S. Economy Loses Jobs For Fifth Month In Row – 06/03/08
Economic Report:
Jobs were lost in the United States for the fifth month in a row, according to economists surveyed by the Bloomberg News. The official data from the Labor Department will be released on June 6, but economists are predicting that jobless rate will rise to 5.1 percent. That’s up from 5 percent in April. Jobs lost this year as of April, number 260,000. The economists predict that factory payrolls will see one of the largest drops with 40,000 jobs being cut.
Wal-Mart Shareholders Concerned About Company’s Poor Business Reputation – 06/03/08
Wal-Mart’s poor business reputation has shareholders in the company concerned. Jesse Russell reports.
As Wal-Mart begins hosting its annual general meeting starting on June 6, the company could be walking into a firestorm of angry shareholders. The reputation of the company has been eroded over the past decade due to the company’s lack of compliance with labor standards across the globe. The shareholders are concerned with a study that found anywhere from 2 percent to 8 percent of customers have stopped shopping at the world’s largest retailer due to the company’s reputation. Many cities have also introduced or passed “anti-Wal-Mart” laws that ban new stores that average the size of the retailer. The company has faced allegations of the use of child labor, forcing employees to work off the clock, and of sexism in pay and promotion opportunities. Most of the shareholders taking on the chain are members of European pension funds and are asking the company to create a report that outlines the company’s lack of compliance with the International Labour Organizations conventions. Wal-Mart, an international company, has responded that it only needs to comply with the 14 conventions adopted by the United States.
SEIU Delegates Overwhelmingly Pass Bulk Of Stern’s Reforms – One Member One Vote Proposals Quashed – 06/03/08
By Doug Cunningham
Delegates at SEIU’s Puerto Rico convention on Monday overwhelming backed President Andy Stern’s “Justice For All” proposals that will further centralize power within SEIU. Mark Brenner of Labor Notes magazine is covering the convention.
[Brenner]: “They’re basically in a situation where they’re trusting their leadership. And their leaders are telling them the Stern program is a good thing, let’s support it.”
Brenner says it was a sad day for union democracy inside SEIU because the one member one vote initiatives promoted by the California United Health Care West local were quashed in committees and never made it to the convention floor for votes. Brenner says there’s no doubt though, that delegates at SEIU’s convention are committed to changing things for working people. He says the serious rank and file debate on the direction of the union didn’t happen Monday, though, as delegates expressed confidence in SEIU leaders.
Egypt: Regime condemns Egyptian Facebook activists supporting labour union strikes – will they now censor this site?
Industrial Worker – Issue #1706, June 2008
Headlines:
- Transport workers take action
- Zimbabwe arrests unionists, opposition
- E-Z Supply ordered to pay IWWs $1 million
Featured Articles:
- Haiti IWW delegation travel diary
- Militant, independent, all-Cambodian union
- Staughton Lynd: Another world is possible
Download a free PDF copy of this issue. (Coming Soon)
Categories: International Labour News
Pakistan: Not fit for print? IUF open letter on the Pearl Continental Hotel trade union campaign the newspapers would not publish
Pakistan: Not fit for print? IUF open letter on the Pearl Continental Hotel trade union campaign the newspapers would not publish
Le SNPM dénonce l’illégalité des mesures restrictives
Une délégation va réclamer la libération de syndicalistes détenus
Enveloppe de 36 millions de dollars NZ pour la flotte néo-zélandaise
Renault : quelle place pour les médecins du travail ?
Une prime “pouvoir d’achat TEPA” en vue au CEA
DGI – Trésor : déclinaison de la fusion des directions au plan local
Transport : Dominique Bussereau consulte les syndicats pour préparer la présidence française de l’Union Européenne
GMP et AGFF : les deux points clés de l’avenir des retraites complémentaires
Ordre des Infirmiers : le Conseil de Paris s’est constitué !
Plan Alzheimer : les infirmières exclues par la DHOS !
400 emplois menacés chez Omaïs Kassim
Reprise du trafic aérien. Suspension de la grève a l’ASECNA
Une action ferme doit suivre des parole sévères
Changement climatique : les engagements de l’UE ne doivent pas compromettre le sort des populations et des travailleurs des pays en voie de développement
STMicro : Les syndicats inquièts pour l’emploi
Chirurgie : Un bloc sur quatre fermé dans 10 ans
Météo France : Grève pour l’emploi jeudi 5 juin
Cliniques privées : Appel le 18 juin pour les salaires
Categories: International Labour News
Goodyear Amiens : Grève contre un projet de réorganisation du travail
Groupe Korian (maisons de retraite) : Grève pour les salaires
les généralistes méconnaissent les risques de maladies professionnelles
Jean-Claude Mailly sur LCI (vidéo)
Offensive et clarté
Fin de la campagne de Foster’s à Yatala pour l’instant avec un accord sur les droits syndicaux mais sans convention collective syndicale
Le travail décent en point de mire de la Conférence de l’OIT : Lancement du site Web de la Journée mondiale pour le travail décent
Un syndicat australien s’oppose aux produits non durables
Nos membres apprennent davantage sur la sylviculture mondiale
Nouvelles des entreprises – mai 2008
Projets dans le monde – mai 2008
Air France : Intéressement et Participation 2008
Le Président de Slovénie s’adresse à la conférence annuelle de l’OIT en lançant un appel à l’implémentation du travail décent
Déclaration des représentants des salariés d’Editis
Salaires et parcours professionnel : construire une politique collective dans les entreprises et sur la branche Syntec
Uni Femmes pour l’égalité salariale
Centres d’appels en offshore : la coopération continue
Télétravail à France Télécom
France Télécom : 1er CP et rien sur les heures supplémentaires !
Avenant sur les centres d’appels prestataires
Categories: International Labour News
Industrie automobile: Protéger des emplois
Les Teamsters applaudissent le comité des transports pour avoir donné préséance à la sécurité publiq
ISC Monthly Updates Bulletin – June 2008
Greetings from the International Solidarity Commission (ISC) of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and welcome to the second digest of our monthly international news letter.The purpose of this newsletter is to keep our allies around the world informed of our activities, solidarity campaigns, and relevant international labor struggles. It is our hope that this newsletter will contribute to building worker-to-worker solidarity through strengthened communications and exchanges of information.
If you would like to contribute story ideas or news for the bulletin, or wish to contact the ISC, you can email solidarity@iww.org.
In this digest:
1. ISC News and Activities
2. IWW News
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines June 2, 2008
Headlines:
AFL-CIO Building Trades Department Meets On Job Site Safety – 06/02/08
By Doug Cunningham
Mark Ayers, President of the AFL-CIO Building Trades Department, says the recent spate of construction fatalities in New York City and Las Vegas are disturbing and most are preventable. Ayers says 22 percent of all worker deaths on the job are in construction. The Building & Construction Trades Governing Board is meeting this week to examine the issue and make recommendations to improve job site safety.
SEIU Convention Opens In Puerto Rico As Teachers Protest – 06/02/08
By Doug Cunningham
The SEIU’s quadrennial convention officially kicks off today in San Juan, Puerto Rico as the leadership of one of America’s biggest and fastest growing unions charts a course for continued growth and worker representation. SEIU President, Andy Stern says SEIU is pursuing a global strategy to advance the interests of workers in the 21st century global economy.
[Stern]: “Our theme of our convention is justice for all. It’s a recognition that the words “workers of the world”, unite can no longer just be a slogan. It’s the way that workers win in a global economy. The gap between the rich and the rest of the world population is growing so wide and so fast all over the world that in this time of a global economy with multinational employers, unions must go international as well. I’m enormously excited to call this convention to order and to build the global union that SEIU wants to become.”
Click To Listen: WIN Week In Review May 30-June 1, 2008
Headlines:
Click To Listen: WIN Week In Review May 30-June 1, 2008
Headlines:
WIN Week In Review May 30 – June 1, 2008
WIN Week In Review May 30-June 1, 2008
By Doug Cunningham
Twenty thousand workers at ten University of California campuses and hospitals could strike as soon as June 4th. Many of the workers are in poverty and qualify for public assistance. The workers want better wages and benefits and they’ve been negotiating with UC for ten months. Lakesha Harrison is President of AFSCME Local 3299.
[Harrison]: “This whole fight is not about resources, it’s about priorities. UC has the money to do what’s right by the workers and they refuse to do it. If UC really values the workers and the workforce and the patient care folks they need to pay a wage that’ll help sustain that workforce and pay the wage that needs to be paid – which is at least 25 percent more than what they pay now.”
Turkey: Delegation to demand release of trade unionists
Iraq: Oil workers battle against govt which tries to manipulate union elections
la révolte des étudiants violemment réprimée
Négociations salariales à Compass Group France : seule la direction améliore son pouvoir d’achat !
Disneyland : le SMIC pour un euro de plus…
L’arnaque Sarko sur les heures sup’ : Prenez aux pauvres pour donner aux riches
Préavis de grève à la prison de Verviers
Grève générale inégalement suivie
Fin du plan social et ultimes avancées à Gandrange
La brasserie Fischer fermera fin 2009
Une grève très suivie des agents des impôts perturbe le jour J des contribuables lensois
Categories: International Labour News
20 Fired from Flaum in NYC
The chain of events began last Thursday when the boss fired a woman known for being a strong union member. When her fellow workers decided to confront the boss about her termination, they were all fired on the spot.
The IWW is putting up daily picket lines this week and will fight the terminations through direct action, media pressure, and legal action.
Supporters can write letters to management at:
Flaum Appetizing 288 Sholes Street
Brooklyn, NY 11206 read more
Mauritius: ‘We Are Not Animals,’ Say Foreign Workers
Zimbabwe: Union leaders Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibebe granted bail
Namibia: Skorpion Zinc Lockout Ends with Global Mine Union Pressure
Ireland: SIPTU fails to back Lisbon Treaty without union recognition legislation
Click To Listen: Streaming Headlines May 30, 2008
Headlines:
AFT Poised To Make History With Women In Top Three Posts – 05/30/08
By Doug Cunningham
At its July convention the 1.4 million member American Federation of Teachers is expected to make history by being the first major U.S. union to simultaneously elect women to the top three leadership posts. Randi Weingarten, Antonia Cortese and Lorretta Johnson are expected to take over as President, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Vice-President.
Workers At Wisconsin Aramark Facility Vote To Strike – 05/30/08
By Doug Cunningham
Workers at an Aramark facility in Madison, Wisconsin have voted to strike. A national campaign is underway by workers at the giant food services corporation to draw attention to Aramark’s business and labor practices. Among the concerns are food safety, nutrition and the need for good jobs with health care at Aramark facilities.Jesus Rodriguez is Business Rep for UNITE-HERE Local 229 in Madison.
[Rodriguez]: “There’s a lot of health and safety issues. There’s a lot of pressure, a lot of disrespect that happens on the floor to the members. You know, the company does not respect, so – or try to negotiate in good faith.
Silicon Valley Janitors Back To Work After Winning Strike – 05/30/08
By Doug Cunningham
Silicon Valley janitors in California are back on the job now after a nine-day strike won them a 22 percent pay raise and improved health care benefits over four years. Represented by SEIU, some 6,000 janitors clean the office buildings of some the biggest names in computers and related industries. The janitors walked off the job May 20th.
American Axle Destroying More Than 2000 Jobs – 05/30/08
By Doug Cunningham
In another step down the death spiral staircase for American manufacturing, American Axle is slashing its U.S. workforce by more than half. Now that the UAW has ratified a concessionary agreement ending the strike that started February 26th, American Axle says 2,000 U.S. jobs manufacturing jobs are being lost. Some of that production is moving to Mexico. Most of the job cuts are coming from buyouts and early retirement incentives negotiated by the UAW, but there will be some involuntary layoffs, too. The strike had enough power to cripple GM production and it cost American Axle and GM combined about one and a half billion dollars.
AFSCME Workers At University Of California May Soon Strike – 05/30/08
By Doug Cunningham
Twenty thousand workers at ten University of California campuses and hospitals could strike as soon as June 4th. Many of the workers are in poverty and qualify for public assistance. The workers want better wages and benefits and they’ve been negotiating with UC for ten months. Lakesha Harrison is President of AFSCME Local 3299
[Harrison]: “This whole fight is not about resources, it’s about priorities. UC has the money to do what’s right by the workers and they refuse to do it. If UC really values the workers and the workforce and the patient care folks they need to pay a wage that’ll help sustain that workforce and pay the wage that needs to be paid – which is at least 25 percent more than what they pay now.”
