Labor talks green jobs and manufacturing at G-20
PITTSBURGH — The labor movement put its G-20 week events in high gear today with a demand that world leaders respond to the global job crisis with a second worldwide stimulus aimed at job creation, including investment in good green jobs.
“Rampant global capital caused this worldwide economic disaster,” Leo Gerard, president of the Steelworkers union, declared today. “This is proof that protecting and providing only for the rich and powerful does not work. It’s the responsibility of our governments and leaders to fix this mess for everyone, especially the working families of the world.”
SLIDESHOW Before G20, Pittsburgh marches for jobs
Pittsburgh labor and community coalitions held two marches Sunday, Sept. 20 demanding jobs and immediate relief for the unemployed aimed at the G20 meetings starting on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Labor demands global justice
PITTSBURGH - As the AFL-CIO wrapped up its 26th Convention here and world leaders got ready for the G-20 summit next week, U.S. and international trade unionists are demanding a new global economy that is fair to workers.
On EFCA, Specter changes views...constantly
PITTSBURGH -- Before the first full day session of the 26th AFL-CIO convention opened here last Monday the federation's officers met privately with a group of reporters who asked them about reports that Sen. Arlen Specter, D, Pa., was now in favor of passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Specter, when he was still a Republican last year, was one of the bill's sponsors in the Senate.
Two of top three posts go to women in AFL-CIO election
PITTSBURGH -- In a session packed with emotion, delegates to the 26th AFL-CIO Convention yesterday elected a historic leadership team. Two women, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker join the new president, Richard Trumka, as the federation's top three leaders.
Unite-Here rejoins AFL-CIO
PITTSBURGH — The last day of the AFL-CIO Convention opened on a high note as newly elected federation President Richard Trumka announced that Unite-Here is re-affiliating with the federation. The 250,000 member Unite-Here was one of the unions that left the AFL-CIO in 2005 to join the Change-to-Win federation.
A building trades union re-invents itself
It was lunchtime at the 26th Convention of the AFL-CIO here yesterday and the painters, like everyone else were hungry. They had a makeshift “lunch room” off the convention floor near where labor journalists had their workspace and they invited two hungry Peoples World reporters to join them for a break and some food.
The time is now for health care reform, safe workplaces
The nation’s health care system is broken and now is the time to act to gain real health care reform. With a vote on health care reform coming soon to Congress, delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention today passed two strong resolutions to provide quality affordable health care and another to ensure safe and healthy workplaces.
Obama raises the roof at labor convention in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH– As President Obama walked to the podium to address the AFL-CIO convention it felt like a prolonged earth tremor had begun. Three thousand people jumped to their feet and began almost five solid minutes of applause that only became louder every time the president begged them to be seated.
Labor movement 'fired up' in Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH – Fourteen hour days, five hours of sleep maximum, grabbing a bite of fast food only now and then – it's no problem, so far, for 3,000 delegates, guests and supporters well into their second day here at the 26th Convention of the AFL-CIO.
