Calif. unions rally for the right to organize
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – “We’re under attack, not in Afghanistan but in San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Central Valley and across California. We’re being intimidated from within,” said Art Pulaski, secretary-treasurer of the California Federation of Labor. International watchdog groups have found that U.S. labor laws are not protecting workers’ rights, he told a rally at the Capitol here June 25.
Harrisburg rally demands money for schools
HARRISBURG, Pa. – Over 100 members of two coalitions, Philadelphians United to Support Public Schools and the Coalition to Keep Public Schools Public, boarded buses on June 25 to lobby for the $75 million promised to Philadelphia schools last December by Governor Mark Schweiker during the state takeover of the school district.
Saving Amtrak: profits vs. public interest
It is not yet clear what will be the final outcome of the latest funding crisis to hit the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), the federally supported intercity railroad passenger service.
Union members serving public interest
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The AFL-CIO has projected electing 5,000 union members to public office between now and the end of the 2004 election cycle as part of their “people-powered” political campaigns. Here, one of the trail-blazers for such a movement is Kenny Jones.
International notes
100,000 rally for Chavez/Demand to free jailed S. Korean unionists/Protest foreign investment in India’s media/Argentina police killings draw big protest/Georgian workers say TNCs flout standards/German phone workers win pay hike
Drivers have grievances with UPS
OAKLAND, Calif. – Interviews by the People’s Weekly World with two UPS drivers at the company’s Oakland terminal brought out an accumulation of grievances that lie behind the union’s fight to get a new contract.
Machinist union, Boeing begin talks
Facing company threats to move more jobs and production overseas, the International Association of Machinists (IAM) opened talks with Boeing on June 25 in Kansas City. The union represents 25,000-26,000 Boeing workers. The present contract expires at 12:01 a.m., Monday, September 2.
Israel denies entry to U.S. interfaith delegation
The Israeli government refused entrance to a group of 19 Americans of Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths, July 2. The Interfaith Peace-Builders Delegation (IPBD), organized by the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) was scheduled to meet with peace, civil rights and elected officials in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Homeland Security Dept. proposal draws fire
The Bush administration is trying to make its proposed new Homeland Security Department “above the law and outside the checks and balances these laws are put there to ensure,” Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and one of the most senior members of Congress, charged on June 26.
Arab Americans mobilizing for empowerment
ARLINGTON, Va. – On June 6, over 500 Arab Americans went to Capitol Hill to kick off the 19th National Convention of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). They lobbied their Congressional representatives on the protection of civil liberties at home and fundamental human rights throughout the world, issues highlighted at the four-day convention.
