COMMENTARY Immigration reform: Castaneda and Jacoby are wrong
In a guest column in the Washington Post on Tuesday, July 21, former Mexican foreign minister Jorge Castañeda and US commentator Tamar Jacoby criticize projected comprehensive immigration reform on the grounds that it does not provide US industry with massive new numbers of temporary workers, and Mexicans with enough opportunities to go and work (temporarily) in the United States.
Stakes in health care fight couldnt be greater
Determined to turn back a tide of right-wing propaganda about costs, a negative drumbeat from Republicans and complaints from conservative Democrats, President Obama will use a televised news conference tonight to mobilize the American people in support of a sweeping reform of the U.S. healthcare system.
Immigration and organizing at Tucsons Food City
TUCSON -- 'The immigration issue is a labor issue' was how Immigration rights activist, Isabel Garcia, summed up discussion at a July 21st 'Worker and Immigrant Rights Solidarity Forum' at the First Christian Church here. The well attended community forum was sponsored by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), with active support from Jobs with Justice, Derechos Humanos Coalition, and other community organizations.
COMMENTARY Challenging Morning Joe on health care
Sometimes don't you fantasize about jumping through the TV onto a talk show set? Well, I did exactly that this Monday morning while watching MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' (Joe Scarborough, former Republican Congressman).
Californias budget: Something for everyone to hate
After weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, legislative leaders and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced on the night of July 20 that they had reached tentative agreement on how to cope with the state’s $26.3 billion budget deficit. The legislature could vote as early as July 23 on the pact, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both legislative houses
Labor Secretary urges union members to push Employee Free Choice Act
WASHINGTON (PAI) Labor Secretary Hilda Solis is telling unionists they will have to go out and push for the Employee Free Choice Act, but with a promise of verbal support from the Obama administration. And unionists didn’t even wait for that message, which she delivered near the end of a July 15 speech in Washington to more than 2,000 teachers and school paraprofessionals attending AFT’s Quest Conference.
Fair pay for air play wont hurt Black radio stations
The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) and the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI) have joined with the NAACP to put to rest the false claims that legislation to give fair pay to performers whose music is played on radio would hurt black radio stations.
Senate adds death penalty amendment to kill hate crimes legislation
On Friday, the Senate passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act as an amendment to the fiscal year 2010 Department of Defense authorization bill. But today, the Senate passed an amendment to the Act, offered by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R. Ala., that would allow the death penalty to be applied in hate crimes cases under some circumstances.
Comic book geeks of the world unite at Comic-Con
Comic book, science fiction, animation and fantasy fans are all gearing up for the 40th Comic-Con International annual convention set to kick off at the San Diego Convention Center July 23-26. Organizers of the event say they expect it’s biggest turnout ever with 125,000 or so fans locked in. The huge venue is already sold out for the second year in a row.
Houston rallies to support health care reform
HOUSTON – A spirited rally was held recently at the Harris County AFL-CIO headquarters in Houston to support health care reform. The effort was called by Organizing for America which is the successor to Obama for America. Participants were treated to rousing speeches from local elected officials who support health care reform, including U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, Carol Alvarado, Texas State Senator, U.S. Rep. Al Green, and Jolanda Jones, Houston City Councilperson.
