N.M. Latinos gear up to protect voting rights
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — “We are here to make sure that each vote is respected and counted,” Claudia Cortez, chair of the New Mexico AFL-CIO Voting Rights Protection Program, told the 15th National Membership Meeting of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) meeting here Aug. 25-28.
International notes
Colombia: Women vs. war / Iraq: Woman union leader elected / India: Truckers, gov’t reach agreement / Equatorial Guinea: Thatcher’s son arrested in plot
Chinese unions take on the challenge of the countrys changing workplace
It has been a quarter century since the policy of “reform and opening up” began to be implemented in China, featuring restructuring of state owned enterprises (SOEs), and opening the economy to domestic and international capital.
HMO workers strike over health benefits
SEATTLE — After 18 months of difficult negotiations, more than 2,200 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) staged a five-day strike of Group Health Cooperative facilities in western Washington State Aug. 23-27 over health benefits.
Michigan labor shifts to high gear
One day wasn’t enough for all the activities planned by union members in Michigan. The state AFL-CIO has proclaimed “Labor Week” Sept. 5-12. A whirlwind of a family, faith-based, historical and solidarity events are in the works.
Rally urges right to drivers licenses for all
OAKLAND, Calif. — Demonstrators rallied in cities around California Aug. 26 in support of a bill giving undocumented immigrants the right to apply for driver’s licenses.
National Clips
CHICAGO: Windy City rallies to defeat Bush / WASHINGTON: Workers door knock as Bush gets GOP nod / AUSTIN, Texas: Religious leaders defend workers / MONTGOMERY, Ala.: Victory against environmental racism / HARRISBURG, Pa.: Nader ruled off ballot
The economics of offshore outsourcing
News Analysis Last spring the television show, “The West Wing,” came very close to portraying reality. In that episode, a trade pact negotiated by a presidential aide allowed a U.S. tech company to “offshore” 17,000 jobs to India.
Labor moves into precincts to protect vote
Tens of thousands of shop stewards, union activists and labor lawyers will be enforcing the Voting Rights Act on Election Day and in the weeks leading up it.
Oust Bush coalition surges in Florida
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A movement of unions, senior citizen and civil rights organizations is working hard to defeat George W. Bush in this battleground state even as Gov. Jeb Bush and the Republican right resort to some of the same dirty tricks they used to steal the 2000 election.
