October 2007 Archives

October 31, 2007

When Will Cintas Learn?

For the fifth time since the tragic death of Cintas worker Eleazar Torres Gomez at a Tulsa, Oklahoma laundry facility, the nation’s largest laundry and uniform services company is facing another expensive fine – this time $196,000 for exposing workers...

October 29, 2007

Has FedEx Hired Santa Claus?

Any five year-old can tell you that there is only one individual out there who could really make “The World on Time,” delivering millions of packages overnight all by himself – Santa Claus. But FedEx would have you believe...

October 26, 2007

Rebuilding New Orleans, Two Years On

I spent the latter half of last week in New Orleans, attending the convention of the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA). The ILCA brings together labor communicators from across America so they can learn from each others' experiences. The reason...

October 23, 2007

Misclassification Allegations Hit Blackwater

Do you think that employee misclassification -- the scam where corporations claim their employees are "independent contractors" rather than full-time employees, so they don't have to pay for their health, retirement, and other benefits -- is something that only happens...

October 19, 2007

The SCHIP Roll Call

A New York Times blog post today lists the roll call from yesterday's house vote on the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). 44 Republican representatives broke ranks and voted to override the president's veto, but Democrats still fell 13...

October 15, 2007

Business Groups and Allies in Congress Push for Cheap Immigrant Labor

The AgJobs bill (S. 340/H.R. 371) -- a compromise reached between farm workers and growers -- would streamline the H-2A visa program and make it easier for growers to bring in temporary workers, in exchange for a pathway to legal permanent resident status...

October 12, 2007

Gross Income Inequality

New IRS Data based on the adjusted gross income in a large sample of tax returns shows income inequality in America is at a high not seen since the 1920s. The Wall Street Journal reports:  The wealthiest 1% of Americans...

October 10, 2007

That's What They Call a Win-Win

Here's a great story in Slate by Emily Bazelon on the alliance between labor activists and environmentalists in Southern California that's pushing to help underpaid port truckers reach the American Dream while simultaneously improving the abysmal air quality around...

Huckabee: Unions are the Future

At least one Republican presidential candidate understands growing economic inequality in the American economy and that joining a union can lead to a better life for workers and their children. In last night's Republican debate, moderator Chris Matthews asked all the candidates:...

October 3, 2007

Bush Says NO to Children's Health Care, Wagons

Thought Bush's veto of SCHIP was heartless? Yesterday, the White House turned away children who hauled mailbags of petitions to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in their Radio Flyers. SCHIP is a successful, universally respected program that provides health insurance coverage to...

October 2, 2007

CtW Convention 2007: Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) joined the Change to Win Convention in Chicago on September 25 to share with us his thoughts on the future of the American Dream, and to take questions from the delegates. Here's the video: Embed highlights...

CtW Convention 2007: John Edwards

Former North Carolina Senator and current Presidential candidate John Edwards joined the Change to Win Convention in Chicago on September 25 to share with us his thoughts on the future of the American Dream, and to take questions from the...

CtW Convention 2007: Hillary Rodham Clinton

Senator and Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) was scheduled to address the 2007 Convention, but unfortunately travel difficulties left her stuck at the airport in Little Rock. Thankfully, though, she was able to join us by telephone to share...

October 1, 2007

Workers Win at UPS

Two big announcements today from the Teamsters! The first is a tentative agreement on a new five-year contract that would give more than 230,000 UPS workers increased wages and more secure health and retirement benefits: The Teamsters Union and UPS...

CtW Convention 2007: Resolutions Passed

The convention wasn't all about candidates and speeches.  Two resolutions were introduced; both were passed unanimously.  Here are key excerpts from the resolutions, along with links to the full text (in Adobe PDF format -- you will need the free...