Texas labor takes back Town Hall forums
The AFL-CIO reports that pro-reform activists are overcoming the extreme tactics employed by the health insurance industry during this August congressional recess. In North Texas, after initially being taken aback by shrill shouting tactics and threats of public violence, calm pro-reform activists are quietly making their point with double the turnout of those clinging to the status quo.
Trumka to Netroots Nation: Keep telling the truth
One of the highlights of Netroots Nation was last night’s stirring keynote address by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka, who delivered a call to action to the netroots.
Thompson picks up endorsement of powerful NYC union
NEW YORK — In a development with big implications for New York’s mayoral race, AFSCME District Council 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts announced the union’s decision to endorse Democrat Bill Thompson for mayor.
Labor seeks help from civil rights group
Richard Trumka, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, is urging the NAACP to help the labor movement organize workers – particularly African Americans – after the expected passage this year of the Employee Free Choice Act.
'The biggest fight between labor and capital since 1947'
PITTSBURGH - 'We are on the verge of passing the most important piece of legislation in 75 years - the Employee Free Choice Act,' AFL-CIO director of organizing Stewart Acuff told a packed panel discussion here at the national Netroots conference August 13.
Labor and bloggers join forces at Netroots Nation
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - 'We are using technology to go beyond our traditional organizing efforts,' Eric Russell, from the United Steelworkers union (USW) communications department, told workshop attendees here at the Netroots Nation conference August 13.
Bloggers, activists head to Pittsburgh for Netroots Nation confab
PITTSBURGH, Pa. — With more than 1,500 progressive bloggers and activists streaming into Steel City for the Netroots Nation confab this week, Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., joined United Steelworkers president Leo Gerard, Campaign for America’s Future co-director Robert Borosage and Netroots Nation spokesperson Mary Rickles on a conference call today to set the scene and preview the star-studded three-day event, which opens Aug. 13.
Summers says Obama will fix Social Security question is how
One of President Obama’s top economic advisers, Lawrence Summers, told leading economists Aug. 11 that the president intends to overhaul Social Security before he leaves the White House.
Crisis and opportunity
The dog days of August have arrive, Washington has mostly cleared out and neither health care reform nor the Employee Free Choice Act have been passed. The Republicans, the Hard Right, and Corporate America are doing all they can to defeat them both.
Plot to kill Post Office cloaked by right wing recess rally chaos
Even as it works overtime to disrupt the national debate on health care reform, the radical right is taking advantage of the chaos to quietly destroy yet another public service Americans take for granted – the United States Postal Service. Working through Sen. Thomas Coburn, R-Okla., they have rolled a huge boulder onto the road lawmakers are taking to close a $7 billion budget deficit hanging over the agency for the year ending Sept. 30.
