SPEECH Labor unity and overcoming racism
Remarks by Richard L. Trumka, secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO, at the 38th Annual Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unions, Atlanta, Ga., on May 22, 2009.
Americas Future meet: Calls for new economic model for green jobs
WASHINGTON — 'Now is the time for bold investments in sustainability. Now is the time for a fundamental shift in how we think about our economy, the workers in it and our new energy future,' Kate Gordon of the Apollo Alliance told several thousand national and local labor, political, social justice and environmental leaders and activists attending the America's Future Now conference here June 2.
GM bankruptcy spurs demand to reinvest in America
LANSING, Mich. — The General Motors bankruptcy, announced Monday, was expected, having been predicted for weeks if not months. But the enormity of how far this once mighty giant of U.S. monopoly capitalism has fallen is shocking nevertheless. For many it seems like not so long ago when GM was not only the leader of all auto producers with a commanding 54 percent of the U.S. market, it was also the undisputed dominant corporation in the country’s economy.
Progressives to spend $82 million to ensure universal health care
This is the second of a series of on-the-spot reports from the America’s Future Now conference. Check back for more. WASHINGTON — Progressive groups will spend more than $82 million to support President Obama’s goal of achieving quality, affordable health care for all this year, leaders at the America’s Future Now conference here told reporters today.
Air traffic controllers, pilots see better skies ahead
Already hopeful because of President Obama’s decision to put former Airline Pilots Association President J. Randolph Babbitt in charge of the Federal Aviation Administration, the nation’s air traffic controllers are finally on their way to getting a new union contract.
Actors Equity launches bid for commemorative stamp
(AFL-CIO NOW) Actors’ Equity has launched a nationwide campaign to become the first union honored with a U.S. postal stamp. The union is petitioning the U.S. Postal Service to issue a stamp commemorating the union’s 100th birthday on May 26, 2013.
Rumor of card check's 'death' is greatly exaggerated
Many lawmakers returning home for the Memorial Day break found themselves face to face with union members determined to win passage of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Rally protests plan to shut 8 Chrysler plants
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — A thousand workers rallied at Chrysler’s Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) here to protest the planned closing of eight automobile factories in Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Delaware and Ohio in 2010 as part of the Chrysler-Fiat restructuring.
Passage of Employee Free Choice would be patriotic, veterans say
MOORHEAD, Minn. - With the Memorial Day weekend at hand, veterans from five wars voiced their support for the Employee Free Choice Act in a press conference held at the Hjemkomst Center here. The veterans expressed their concern that the men and women who have worn our country’s uniform are denied some of the basic rights they fought to defend and are just scraping by. Too often, veterans return to unemployment or low-wage jobs.
Black trade unionists: Now is the Future.
ATLANTA — The first major gathering of Black trade unionists since the election of Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, is taking place in this city this Memorial Day weekend under the theme of “Now is the Future.”
