Unions

June 15, 2008 -- HONOLULU – An attempt by management and pilots at Hawaiian Airlines to turn around a strained and difficult post-bankruptcy relationship appears to be failing. After more than a year of effort to reach a new contract outside of the regular negotiating process, both sides are still far apart and the pilot group is rapidly losing patience, according to the Hawaiian Airlines unit of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA).

Hawaiian Airlines jet: Photo by Dylan Ashe (CC)    » read more »

Stern Is Only Labor Leader To Testify At Bipartisan Health Care Summit

June 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – SEIU International President Andy Stern told a key Senate committee today that they must make fixing health care a “top priority,” urging Congress to immediately tackle the growing crisis.

Stern, who is President of the largest union of health care workers in North America, testified this morning at the Senate Finance Committee forum, titled “Prepare for Launch: Health Reform Summit 2008: Trends in Employer Sponsored Health Coverage.” Stern was the only labor leader represented on the panel.    » read more »

June 12, 2008 -- Today’s vote in the House of Representatives to pass a vital extension of unemployment benefits marks an important step forward in getting desperately needed help to some of the most vulnerable in the rapidly failing economy – and giving the economy a needed boost. We commend Democratic leadership and all members who voted for this important legislation.    » read more »

Employees at Miller’s West Virginia Distributor Fight for Health Care and Livable Wages

June 13, 2008 -- (Charleston, WV) – Workers at the West Virginia distributor of Miller and Coors beers will kick off a summer handbilling series at local bars and restaurants today. The workers say they want to bring attention to contract demands by SABMiller’s West Virginia distributor, Capitol Beverage Company, that would hike workers’ cost for family health care.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) urged Congress this week to act to stabilize energy markets and end the rampant speculation that has led to the recent jumps in oil prices and put an economic stranglehold on the U.S. airline industry. ALPA, together with other unions, organizations, and corporations, called for swift action in a joint transportation industry coalition letter sent to Congressional leaders.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- SEIU today sent a fourth “Dear John” letter to Senator John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president. SEIU members are offering their assistance in the absence of any economic blueprint from McCain that puts working families first. The letters will continue until McCain personally meets with members.

In the letter, Iris English, a Medical Billing Specialist at the University of Illinois Medical Center from Chicago and member of Local 73, asks McCain how he would use the money currently being spent in Iraq here in America.

“Dear John,    » read more »

Increase “long overdue,” according to AFL-CIO President John Sweeney

June 09, 2008 -- Today AFL-CIO President John Sweeney urged members of Congress to aid working people hit the hardest and boost the our floundering economy by extending unemployment benefits.    » read more »

Union Members to Rally in More Than 25 Cities This Week to Call on Bush and McCain to Denounce Tax Giveaways for Big Oil, Support Real Path to Energy Independence

June 09, 2008 -- AFL-CIO working families will rally at gas stations in more than 25 cities across the country this week to protest record-high gas prices, which reached a national average of $4 a gallon over the weekend. The first protest will be today in Indianapolis.    » read more »

Job Action Affects About 1,250 Workers at 24 Terminals Across the Country

June 9, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamster carhaul members employed at Performance Transportation Services Inc. went on strike against the company at 9 a.m. EDT today to enforce the union’s bargaining table demands.

The nationwide strike affects 24 terminals and about 1,250 Teamster employees at the PTS’ companies: Leaseway Motorcar Transport Company, E. and L. Transport Company, Hadley Auto Transport and Transportation Releasing.

“We are on strike to enforce our bargaining table demands,” said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division.

PTS employees haul vehicles for Ford, General Motors, Toyota and other manufacturers.    » read more »

Community groups react to news that DuPont’s Teflon chemicals likely contaminate area residential wells. Eight of nine DuPont monitoring wells exceeded New Jersey’s “alert level.”

June 9, 2008 -- Deepwater, NJ—A coalition of environmental and labor groups are calling for the testing of private drinking water wells in four towns near DuPont’s Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, N.J. They are concerned about the possible presence of the dangerous Teflon chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).    » read more »

June 03, 2008 -- John McCain has some nerve going to New Orleans, site of the Bush Administration’s do-nothing approach to Hurricane Katrina, to announce that he’s a “different kind of Republican.”

From health care and jobs to the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Sen. McCain’s record shows he’s in lockstep with President Bush and the Administration’s corporate allies.

A small and subdued collection of John McCain supporters during his New Orleans speech: Photo by dsb nola (CC)    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Below is a statement from Change to Win executive director Greg Tarpinian calling for unity for victory in November.

"Barack Obama is the candidate of the American Dream. We must focus our efforts on building a unified movement for change."

Barack Obama in St. Paul, Minnesota: Photo by Chris Gallevo (CC)

"The time has come for all voters – men and women, Democrats, Republicans, and independents, all races and ethnic groups, workers and their families -- to unite together to create a new American Dream for the 21st century.    » read more »

June 02, 2008 -- This Wednesday at 10:50 am EST, Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama will address more than 4,000 SEIU members, leaders, and guests at the 2008 SEIU Convention in Puerto Rico by live satellite feed.

Barack Obama with SEIU member: Photo by SEIU International (CC)    » read more »

May 26, 2008 -- LOS ANGELES, CA — Directors Guild of America President Michael Apted made the following statement on the passing of Director Sydney Pollack:

"Sydney Pollack was the recipient of the DGA Honors John Huston Award for Artists Rights in 2000.

Sydney Pollack: Photo by NYCArthur (CC)

"Called the quintessential 'actor's director," Sydney let the dialogue and the emotion of a scene speak for itself. Not given to cinematic tricks, his gentle and thoughtful touch and his focus on the story let us inhabit the world he created in each film.    » read more »

Widespread Practice Cheats Workers, Taxpayers and Companies That Play by the Rules

May, 2008 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – New legislation to prevent corporations from abusing workers and cheating taxpayers has the Teamsters’ strong support, General President Jim Hoffa said Thursday.

The Employee Misclassification Prevention Act of 2008 will make it harder for employers to improperly classify employees as “independent contractors.”

“This scam robs 10 million American workers of overtime and benefits,” Hoffa said. “Companies are forcing workers to pay for their own fuel, repairs and uniforms by illegally classifying them as independent contractors.    » read more »