Reports of the death of union card check still premature
A report in the New York Times today that says senators have “dropped” the majority sign-up provision of the Employee Free Choice Act is not accurate. A spokesperson for Sen. Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat who is shepherding the bill through the Senate, said that “no particular provisions of the bill have been agreed to and cannot be agreed to until there is an entire bill that can be agreed to.”
Workers picket Karl Rove's $1,000-a-plate Big Biz dinner
ST. LOUIS -- 'The Employee Free Choice Act is exactly what it says. A free choice for workers,' Ben Harmon, financial secretary for the greater St. Louis United Auto Workers union CAP Council, told the World. Harmon, along with around 30 other trade union activists, was picketing a $1,000-a-plate Missouri Chamber of Commerce dinner for Karl Rove, a vocal opponent of workers' rights.
Worker rights are civil rights 1,500 march in Arkansas for Employee Free Choice
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — With Central High School as a backdrop, the fight for the Employee Free Choice Act took center stage here in this southern state. About 1,500 people rallied and marched July 11 in what was considered the largest demonstration in the state in 20 years.
Communications workers and AT&T strike Midwest deal
Nearly 20,000 AT&T workers in the Midwest will be voting on a tentative contract that their union, the Communications Workers of America, spent the last half year negotiating. The tentative agreement, reached yesterday, will be submitted to the membership for ratification.
Steelworker head hails House health reform bill
PITTSBURGH -- Leo W. Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers (USW), issued a statement hailing the U.S. House of Representatives’ health care reform bill.
Ironworkers build more than just buildings, they build communities
Ohio Ironworkers offer career training “Yea, Grampa, we know. You built that building.” In many households across Ohio and the country, that statement has been spoken over and over again by many grandchildren looking more for toys than history lessons. Old men, proud of what they’ve done over their working lifetime can’t seem to help themselves when they drive over a bridge or past a hospital, pull in a parking garage or stop at a mall. When you’ve put your life’s blood building something as solid as a hospital or a factory building, it’s tough to dismiss it casually.
AT&T workers rally for 'future of all working people'
ST. LOUIS -- 'This isn't just about our future,' Bob Huss, vice president of the St. Louis Communications Workers of America retirees council, told the World as nearly 200 AT&T employees rallied outside the downtown AT&T tower here July 14. 'This is about the future of all working people.'
Hard-hit Gary stops garbage pickup
GARY, Ind. – In another sign of the economic crisis hitting working class cities around the country, angry residents and laid off city workers rallied in front of this city’s new General Services building. The crowd brought uncollected garbage and dumped it in front of the building sign. This was only the second day of a stop in the collection of household waste here.
Calif. labor backs public option health care bill
The California Labor Federation, the largest state labor federation in the country, gave its unconditional support to the bill now before the House of Representatives extending affordable quality health care to the uninsured, including a strong public option.
House leaders unveil sweeping health care plan
House leaders today announced their plan for a sweeping health care reform bill and the House Ways and Means Committee announced that it will vote on the proposal this Thursday.
