HartMarx workers win court fight to keep jobs
CHICAGO – HartMarx workers won a court battle in their fight to keep the suit maker in operation and save over 3,000 union jobs. On June 1 Federal Bankruptcy Judge Bruce Black approved the bid of the British private equity firm Emerisque to buy the company. Wells Fargo Bank, the chief creditor of HartMarx, who wanted another bidder to be approved so the company could be liquidated, had fiercely opposed the bid. They relented under immense pressure.
Mobilize for health care this Saturday, unions urge
The following is a message from the AFL-CIO for a nationwide health care mobilization on June 6.
Card check remains on table, Senate leader of free choice battle says
WASHINGTON — Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) told the World today that he is holding onto majority sign-up as a key component of the Employee Free Choice Act, in rounds of “intense negotiations” with senators whose support is needed for passage of the landmark labor law reform measure. Although Harkin would not specify the precise form in which majority sign-up might emerge from the negotiations, he said “there are about five versions of it that are being talked about.”
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.
Walmart responsible for Black Friday trampling death
Remember back in November of last year when we told you the tragic story of Jdimytai Damour, a 34-year-old temporary worker at a Long Island Walmart who was crushed to death by a mob of shoppers storming the store for Black Friday deals?
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.
Hartmarx workers: Our jobs are worth fighting for
DES PLAINES, Ill. — Workers boarded a bus this morning at the Hartmarx Corp. factory here, on their way to protest in front of a new Target store in Waukesha, Wis. The Hartmarx workers, represented by Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union, plan to demonstrate at Target’s annual meeting, where Wells Fargo Chairman Richard Kovacevich is expected.
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.
Quad City Die Casting workers demand Wells Fargo save their jobs
Wells Fargo is under fire again. This time, members of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers (UE) Local 1174, want the bank to keep their Moline, Ill., Quad City Die Casting plant open. The bank is refusing to extend credit to the 60-year-old business.
