A win for workers is a win for all
Employee Free Choice Act is key to recovery As 2008 comes to an end the labor movement has much to celebrate including the election of our first African American president, the win for union representation for the Smithfield slaughterhouse workers in Tar Heel, N.C., and the settlement won by Chicago union workers who led a six-day sit-in at their factory.
Union leaders welcome Solis choice as labor secretary
WASHINGTON (PAI)--Union leaders welcomed the choice of pro-worker Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.) as Labor Secretary in the incoming Democratic Obama administration. If confirmed by the Senate, Solis would replace anti-worker GOP Bush Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.
Anti-worker Republicans block auto aid
DETROIT — It looks like autoworkers have dodged a bullet. Congress seems likely to pass some sort of “bridge” loan to keep General Motors, and perhaps Chrysler, from declaring bankruptcy and throwing union contracts and jobs on the trash heap.
Another season, another Maria
It was hot in the vineyard east of Stockton on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. Hotter than the day before when the temperature reached 90 degrees by the early afternoon. Hotter than usual for May.
Layoffs dampen celebration for new wireman
BALTIMORE — This should be a time to celebrate for Carlton Stone, 42. He received a letter from Local 24 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Dec. 4 that after completing his five-year apprenticeship he is “now eligible for membership in Local 24, classification, construction wireman.”
Religious leaders rally for Republic workers, Bank of America makes offer
CHICAGO — Religious leaders and board members with the Interfaith Worker Justice rallied here in front of the Republic Windows and Doors factory Dec. 9 in solidarity with 250 unionized workers who have been leading a sit-in there since the plant closed down on Dec. 5.
Chicago, Cook County threaten to cut ties with Bank of America over Republic workers
CHICAGO — City aldermen and Cook County commissioners vowed to cut ties with Bank of America if it didn't give 250 sit-in strikers the pay they were due. Workers occupying the Republic Windows and Doors factory, labor and religious leaders and community activists flanked the elected officials at City Hall.
Illinois tells Bank of America 'no business' after workers sit in
CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered all state agencies Dec. 8 to stop doing business with Bank of America to try to pressure the bank into helping laid-off workers staging a sit-in at their shuttered factory.
Barack Obama on the side of workers occupying factory
CHICAGO — As news of workers occupying the Republic Windows and Doors factory here spread across the nation Dec. 7, President-elect Barack Obama came out on the side of the workers.
Solidarity pours in for Chicago workers occupying factory, Obama says demands are 'absolutely right'
CHICAGO – Solidarity is pouring in for 250 workers who have been sitting-in for three days at Republic Windows and Doors, including from President-elect Barack Obama. The company closed abruptly Dec. 5 because Bank of America, its chief investor, refused to extend a $5 million line of credit. BA recently received a $25 billion bailout from the federal government.
