New green world waits in the wings
Mid-December brought developments at global, national, state and local levels in the race to reverse global warming and grow the economy.
UAW Michigan family holds onto Christmas
DETROIT — Gibraltar Trade Center in Taylor, Mich., stood to make a lot of money Dec. 12 with the scheduled appearance there of ex-Tiger pitching great and Hall of Famer Jim Bunning. Michigan residents were supposed to pay $35 apiece for Bunning’s autographed baseballs.
Anti-worker Republicans block auto aid
DETROIT — It looks like autoworkers have dodged a bullet. Congress seems likely to pass some sort of “bridge” loan to keep General Motors, and perhaps Chrysler, from declaring bankruptcy and throwing union contracts and jobs on the trash heap.
Autoworkers rally for good jobs
SAN FRANCISCO — “I don’t know but I’ve been told, Wall St. got bailed out with gold,” and “What kind of jobs? Good jobs!” they chanted, as they circled the entrance to Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s office, a giant United Auto Workers union banner floating overhead.
Layoffs dampen celebration for new wireman
BALTIMORE — This should be a time to celebrate for Carlton Stone, 42. He received a letter from Local 24 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Dec. 4 that after completing his five-year apprenticeship he is “now eligible for membership in Local 24, classification, construction wireman.”
Wages in industrial countries to drop, UN labor group warns
The economic crisis is likely to result in wage declines all over the world, with wages dropping faster than production, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said in a report it issued Nov. 28.
Labor was key in turning Ohio, and U.S., blue
CLEVELAND — According to preliminary data, organized labor can claim credit for nearly 40 percent of Barack Obama’s vote in Ohio, turning the state from red to blue, a key element of the national Democratic victory.
