FedEx blocking bill that would improve its workers' labor rights
FedEx is attempting to block a bill in Congress that will reclassify some of its workers under jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) rather than the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Most private company employees are currently protected under the NLRA.
Celebrating LGBT Pride Month
Earlier this month, we saw new evidence that our country has entered a real era of change when President Barack Obama issued a proclamation calling on all Americans to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. 'As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected,' the president's proclamation states. 'If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit.'
Head Start workers fight for their jobs
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — “We built Head Start,” said Barbara Lewis. “We are Head Start. We just lost our jobs.”
Join the UFCW in celebrating Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
In June of 2000, Bill Clinton deemed the month of June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” The month was chosen to remember the Stonewall riots in 1969 in Manhattan.
Girls in gold-mining: 'I dont want my children to be like me'
Over 18,000 girls and boys are engaged in mining and quarrying in the Philippines. For many generations, the search for gold in small-scale mining has been a means of survival for poor families. Girls in such work are particularly vulnerable. Minette Rimando, ILO press officer in Manila, wrote this report for ILO Online.
Three dead, 38 injured in food plant explosion
GARNER, N.C. – The bodies of three workers missing after an explosion that caused the collapse of the ConAgra Slim Jim plant here have been discovered, according to police. The only victim identified thus far is Barbara McLean Spears, 43, of Dunn, N.C. Her brother, Anthony McLean, 38, told the press that Spears was a veteran of 15 years at the plant and that at the time of her death she was working in the cutting department. Her body was pulled out of the rubble Tuesday night, just before heavy rains forced a night long suspension of search and rescue efforts. The concern was that the torrential downpours could cause further collapse of the unstable structure.
Globe workers vow to fight pay cut, file labor complaint
Leaders of the Boston Newspaper Guild filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board June 9 challenging a 23 percent wage cut issued by the Boston Globe and its owner The New York Times Company.
Twin Cities Walmart workers launch organizing drive
ST. PAUL - Hodan Hassan would like to have health insurance for herself and her family. Leontez Slaughter worries about safety on the job. Denise Spittler is tired of being told she can quit if she doesn’t like her wages and working conditions. They are just three of thousands of Walmart employees nationwide engaged in a historic campaign to organize the retail giant.
Lockdown: Providence readies for U.S. Conference of Mayors
It’s mayor vs. firefighters in long-running battle PROVIDENCE, R.I. (rifuture.org) — In response to planned pickets by local fire fighters and other union/community activists, Providence Mayor David Cicilline has issued a sweeping order aimed at containing protests.
Unions embrace street corner solidarity
For Pablo Alvarado, the genesis occurred back in 1999 when janitors in Los Angeles were on strike. Some of the cleaning companies came to the corners and workers' centres where day labourers gathered and tried to hire workers to cross the janitors' picket lines, he recounted to IPS.
