Sen. Sherrod Brown at labor meet: New energy economy is unprecedented opportunity
CLEVELAND — An array of labor leaders, public officials and policy experts gathered here recently to detail the promise and perils for Ohio in the transition to a clean energy, green jobs economy.
Senators ask for investigation of Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation to continue
Here is a report on the PBGC (Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation). This is the agency that is supposed to take over, and administer pension plans in the case of a bankruptcy, assuring that workers do not lose everything.
UE weighs in on Washington health care proposals
The meeting at the union’s national headquarters in Pittsburgh on May 14-15, UE’s General Executive Board discussed the national debate on health care and the reform proposals now being considered by Congress and the Obama administration. The union’s national leadership board adopted the following statement on health care reform:
Labor Dept. dangles big carrot to get states to expand jobless aid
The U.S. Labor Department is dangling a $3.5 billion carrot in front of state governments to get them to expand the numbers and categories of workers eligible for unemployment benefits.
Fiat plans mass sackings and plant closures throughout Europe
Last week, the Italian car company Fiat presented its plans for taking over General Motors’ German auto division Opel as part of its acquisition of the insolvent Chrysler company. The plan it presented to the German government, as well as to the Opel betriebsrat (works council), includes the destruction of at least 10,000 jobs, as well as factory closures at Vauxhall in England and at Fiat plants in Italy and Poland.
Labor, allies vow Never Again, one year after Postville immigration raid
POSTVILLE, Ia. — The people of this town will never forget what happened here a year ago, today. At first, there was confusion. There were so many helicopters in the sky and, one by one, they seemed to be landing everywhere. Men, armed to the teeth like commandos, jumped out and grabbed people on the streets.
17,000 banana workers go on strike in Colombia
BOGOTA - Colombian banana farm workers in the country's key growing region went on strike May 8 over pay and benefits, threatening hundreds of thousands of boxes exported a day, union leaders and producers said.
Union gains as Hyundai India strike ends
INDIA: Indian autoworkers at Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) and members of the Hyundai Motor India Employees' Union (HMIEU) ended their work stoppage and hunger strike after management agreed to a number of worker demands, mediated by the Tamil Nadu District Commissioner of Labor.
Iran rights group urges world pressure to free labor, women detainees
Human rights and trade union organizations across the globe are combining to call for the release from prison of participants in the May Day rally in Iran’s capital, Tehran, this month.
In Pa., even Republicans want Specter to support Employee Free Choice Act
The latest Quinnipiac Poll in Pennsylvania helps explain what may be Sen. Arlen Specter’s second switch on the Employee Free Choice Act.
