Just another cog in the machine

PowerLine Calls Ricci Egregrious Racism

Are you kidding me? That case is pretty simple. There were two directives in the law and the city couldn't decide what to do. It felt that either way it violated the law. It didn't do anything... literally. So that's somehow egregious? You can tell that these folks don't have any experience with racism, because something as mild as doing nothing is called egregious.

Eight States Tell Fred to Quit Classifying their Employees as Contractors.

“FedEx can’t hide from its responsibilities to its workers,” said Ken Hall, Teamsters International Vice President and Director of the Package Division. “Federal and state agencies are taking action to make sure FedEx doesn’t skirt the law and pays its fair share. Thanks to officials like these attorneys general, FedEx and CEO Fred Smith won’t be allowed to profit from this scheme at the expense of its work force and the American taxpayers.”

UnionReview.com <- click for more

UPDATE: Here is the announcement from Attorney General of KY Jack Conway.

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

This song was his, he wrote it, and I think it's really strange. He was strange. It's definitely one of my favorites of his. I think it offers a true insight, because the song is awesome, but weird, into the kind of person he was. I think the criticism really took him down, and he wasn't the same. He wasn't able to write a song like this, perform it, and really entertain us later in life. While his death was sad, the death of his artistic abilities was sadder and it happened years ago.

Imagine a World Without Nurses...TV Ad

Could someone look at Lexington area hospital nursing staffing levels?

Aren't they all non-profit too? Are any union?

PowerLine recalls Reagan's support for a labor movement...

Of course, it wasn't in this country,

When the Polish government declared martial law to crush Solidarity, this is what Ronald Reagan had to say on December 23, 1981:

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/06/023822.php

Role of Labor Unions in Today's Society

It's demoralizing to not be able to pay your bills.

WOW The Wall Street Journal does it again.

Many companies oppose pay cuts as much as the rank-and-file do. Pay cuts are often demoralizing, and low morale can cut into productivity, which is a backdoor way of raising costs.

Ugh.. demoralizing... quite a bit an understatement huh?


Hat Tip to Jonathon Tasini from Working Life.

Arlen Specter at EFCA rally pt. 1 and what does he mean?

In part two below you will see that he says, "You will be satisfied with my vote." He says the intimidation, harassment, and bad faith in first contracts are unacceptable. He is leaving out company called elections as unacceptable. There will be a compromise EFCA this summer it appears, and it will still include the company called election it looks like. Maybe they will be much quicker, and companies will be limited in their ability to harass, but I find the 'secret ballot' argument one with no merit at all and don't understand how it in the world it worked.

Arlen Specter at Employee Free Choice rally part 2

Screw Fred!

http://unionreview.com/fedex-threatens-%2526quot%3Bdestroy%2526quot%3B-members-congress

You have to follow that link. When you come back, consider the government's contracts with Fred. Consider dropping those if he drops the Boeing contract. I like it. It's time for war, and I'll fight on the side on Congress.

Wal-Mart Jobs vs Union Jobs.

With a comment by me! I know you have to see it!

http://www.workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?content_id=13851

Business Leaders Need Customers, Support a Fair Economy

http://www.faireconomynow.org/

More about the Sotomayor and Labor

from the UFCW blog: http://ufcw.blogspot.com/2009/05/on-sotomayor.html

And she just happens to be fair-minded when it comes to labor laws, too. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on Sotomayor:
Sotomayor has consistently interpreted our labor laws in the manner in which they were intended. She has enforced the right to be free of all types of discrimination in the workplace, to be paid the correct wages and to receive health benefits to which employees are entitled. She has recognized that persecution for union activity can be a basis for granting asylum in
this country.

Wonder where our stimulus money is going in Kentucky?

http://www.accountablerecovery.org/states/kentucky

The above link will help.

More about the Sotomayor and Labor

I think the best case against being against this nomination is that it will further alienate the Hispanic community. Without the attacks on immigration, we might have President Cheney^H^H^H^H^H^HMcCain.

From: http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/laborprof_blog/2009/05/moss-on-criticism-of-sotomayor.html

In the 2001 opinion, Sotomayor led a unanimous appellate panel in reversing the pretrial dismissal of a female police officer’s claims of discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment. Sotomayor’s opinion was meticulous, addressing every one of the trial judge’s rulings and rationales methodically, with exhaustive citations to prior judicial decisions from around the country — a more scholarly effort than typically is necessary for a decision on an individual New York

police officer’s individual claim. Agree or disagree with her on contentious issues like discrimination law, Sotomayor is a thoughtful, scholarly judge whose work holds up with the best of them.

Sotomayor and Labor Unions

What I've found so far, from wikipedia,

On March 30, 1995, she issued the preliminary injunction against Major League Baseball, preventing MLB from unilaterally implementing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and using replacement players, thus ending the 1994 baseball strike.^[4][17]

Pres. Obama on Health Care

Notice the inclusion of labor at the table. :)

Bill Kristol likes Darth Vader better thank Luke Skywalker

And he likes the current organizing rules for unions better than EFCA.

Dick Cheney has often been compared to Darth Vader. Bill loves Cheney. He hates EFCA too.

Is it better to have really bad people against you or great people for you? Obviously that's a great list of folk for EFCA.

Hat Tip: Daily Show 5-21

The Right Thing - Pennsylvania TV Ad for the Employee Free Choice Act

How Not to Join a Union

Specter Defection TWO

Wow! Wow! I can't believe it! So, Specter changes his vote on EFCA in the hopes of having a chance in the PA primary. After realizing that the winner of the GOP primary is a guaranteed loss, he goes Democratic Party!

So does this mean we get our EFCA vote back? Who else is left in the north from the GOP at all? How far behind is Snowe?

Teamsters Lose Fed Ex battle.

Wow! I can't believe it. The DC Court of Appeals has classified Fed Ex drivers are entrepreneurs by a 2-1 margin. This after huge losses for Fred in Colorado and California.

This will make it to the Supreme Court, as part of it's job is to ensure consistency. So, what do you think Justice Kennedy will think? The court is very predictable about these things for 8 of the justices, and the 4-4 is pretty much guaranteed.

Employee Free Choice Act: Fact vs. Fiction

Mar 27 2009 VID00187

E-mail from Bill:

Dear john blickenstaff,

The 2009 session of the Kentucky General Assembly ended abruptly when the Kentucky House refused to vote on any bills on Day 29 of the thirty-day session, effectively ending the session one day early. Such action contrasts sharply with previous legislative sessions in which the clock has been literally turned back in order for the House and Senate to continue voting on bills after the constitutionally mandated end of the session, sine die.

The early departure of the Kentucky House resulted from the change in House leadership, particularly the election of Rep. Greg Stumbo as House Speaker. The changes created a desire to demonstrate a different approach to the legislative process by “sticking to the rules established by the House,” while attempting to bolster the power of House Leadership.

The end of the session also contrasted with earlier pronouncements between Speaker Stumbo and Senate President David Williams, who had indicated a positive working relationship, especially on such contentious issues as tax increases on tobacco and alcohol products. President Williams made no effort to hide his disdain for the early exit move executed by the House and claimed the House was responsible for killing a number of “important” pieces of legislation, such as Gov. Beshear’s economic development package (HB 229).

The overall impact of the change in leadership in the House was to recast the roles and relationships between the members of the House as well as between the House and Senate. If not for the abrupt end to the session and the acrimony engendered as a result, both Stumbo and Williams would have most certainly declared victory and then went home. As it stands, it looks a lot like business as usual in Frankfort.

It certainly was business as usual when the usual suspects introduced their perennial favorites, right-to-work-for-less and repeal of prevailing wage. The winner of this session’s anti-worker, anti-union award must go to Sen. Damon Thayer, who introduced the standard right-to-work-for-less (SB 165), repeal of prevailing wage on school construction projects (SB 145) and an increase in the prevailing wage threshold (SB 146). Rep. Joe Fischer also deserves recognition for introducing a prevailing wage repeal amendment to HB 143, along with Rep. Sal Santoro who introduced a floor amendment to HB 144 to repeal prevailing wage on school construction projects. These three are a real promising trio of legislators, except that not one of their bills or amendments were ever called or heard in either the House or Senate. The memory of 2,000 agitated union members in the Capitol Rotunda must still be fresh in the minds of those legislators who witnessed that event.

Continuing along the “business as usual” framework, this General Assembly also included another attack on coal mine safety. Three separate bills, each targeted to a particular aspect of coal mine safety, were introduced with the bill sponsors claiming them to be just simple innocuous changes needed for coal operators (some even described as “mom and pop operations”) to remain “competitive.”

HB 119 would have reduced the number of mine emergency technicians ( METs); SB 64 would have weakened mine ventilation requirements; and SB 170 would have reduced mandated coal mine inspections. They were all defeated through a concerted effort of your labor lobbyists, allied groups and several widows of deceased coal miners.

Once again, quarry interests tried to pass a bill (HB 205) which would have limited the liability of employers for exposing workers to unsafe levels of silica dust, which causes the deadly disease silicosis. Through a concerted effort of your labor lobbyists and allied groups HB 205 was also defeated.

It was also business as usual for a number of worthwhile bills which should have been given a fair opportunity to progress and receive votes, but were killed, mostly by inaction on the part of the Senate. Included in this category are HB 70, which would restore the civil rights of felons; HB 392 and SB 136, which would address the growing and costly problem of misclassification of workers in the construction industry; SB 172 and HB 373, which would have provided for collective bargaining for teachers, along with several other pieces of progressive legislation.

Bills supported by organized labor that have been signed into law include HB 333, which prohibits the utilization of the American Medical Association’s 6^th Edition “Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment” in Workers’ Compensation cases. Without HB 333, the implementation of the AMA Guides 6^th Edition would have costs workers millions of dollars in compensation benefits. Passage of HB 333 was a team effort among your labor lobbyists, the Workplace Injury Litigation Group (WILG) and the Kentucky Justice Academy (KJA).

Also signed into law was the union-inspired SB 33, which requires that flags flown on public buildings in the Commonwealth are made in the U.S.A.

In sum, it was “business as usual” for the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly as the lack of labor support in the Senate severely restricts chances for passage of so many pieces of legislation that would be helpful to the working men and women of our Commonwealth. Certainly all of the blame for “business as usual” cannot be placed solely on the Senate, as several House committee chairs remain uncooperative and at times outright hostile where labor legislation is concerned. Organized labor must do a much better job of holding those representatives we award with our endorsements and energies accountable, while doing our utmost to defeat legislators and candidates who work against the interest of our members and those who work for a living.

Finally, let me thank all of those who assisted me during this legislative session. Your assistance and friendship lightened the burden of not having my friend and partner, Larry Jaggers, at my side during the both the chaos of the General Assembly.

Godspeed on your recovery, Brother Jaggers.

Bill Londrigan

Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff on the Employee Free Choice Act

Greed - National TV Ad for the Employee Free Choice Act

Who keeps sending out this fellow?

"29,000 cases in 2007 alone of intimidation and coercion by employers." - is that "in violation of NLRA?"

"47 in 73 years" - I assume that's "violations of NLRA."

I would love to have the sources for that.

AFL-CIO Blog Nails NAFTA and CAFTA

Trade experts from throughout the Americas say U.S. trade policies must be completely revised and existing agreements renegotiated and agree with the Obama administration’s proposal to renegotiate part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that allowed unsafe Mexican trucks to drive on U.S. highways.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/03/18/trade-experts-renegotiate-nafta/

WI: Pat McKenna, Owner of Union Copy Centers, Inc

Fox News Attacks Unions

They have no idea what they are doing.

Just to repeat, EFCA is necessary to spread wealth so that people can pay their bills.

Our Senators Are Wrong.

Meet the Press, Chuck Shumer and Lindsey Graham, "more credit flowing..." crap.

You want to encourage work and growth, make work pay, pass EFCA. At the same time, encourage entrepreneurship and 'risk-taking' that focuses on technology like alternative energy and energy storage. Work hard on trade agreements for exports, and an overall trade policy that enables responsible labor unions worldwide. Keep a strong military. It's not that hard. But, at the beginning of this, you have to make work pay, and pass EFCA.

Why do Mexicans come to the US?

So I get a sitemeter report every week of who visits my blog. I used to get a lot of hits for a post I made "Why do Mexicans come here?". I think my answer was the most definitive there is out there, and I think people should see my answer when they google the above. This is basically a repost to get those hits back.

Mexico has killed it's labor leaders for way too long. A strong union movement is necessary for the middle class. This has prevented the growth of a strong middle class - heck - hardly any at all. Of course a society as top heavy as Mexico's is going to tip over. Mexico is in chaos. They are losing their best workers to the US. A strong middle class would help with the crime situation there.

The US, on the other hand, has a strong a union core. It needs to be stronger to keep the current middle class, of course, but Jimmy Jr. isn't getting shot by Feds.

Mexicans have two choices, to have a labor rebellion where thousands died liked they did in the US in the 1930's, or jump the fence. Their government could allow a strong union movement to grow without the violence. Since that's doubtful, is political unrest in Mexico's future? Again?

I'd probably jump too.

Why I joined the labor movement:

Henry Ford used to say that he wanted his workers to have enough money to buy his cars. Our current business leaders seem to have forgotten that simple economic idea. That is why, for their own self-interest, business, and their Republican allies in Congress, should embrace broad unionization.

....

Without any real increase in wages, consumers in the past 20 years have piled up debt upon debt. According to Demos, Americans overall credit card debt grew from $211 billion to $876 billion between 1989 and 2006. When credit cards were maxed out, they turned to their sole remaining economic lifeline: home equity. Demos estimates that homeowners sucked out $1.2 trillion in home equity, not for mansions and yachts, but for basic living expenses.

http://www.workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?content_id=12048

Pretty much nails it. Cause the country NEEDS it.

Bank of America Uses Bailout to Fight Economic Recovery

VA: Billy Mason's Story

You must see this.

Debate Over Executive Compensation Limits

:) I love it.

Changing the name isn't enough.

This post is a response to:
http://workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?content_id=11808

wait one second: why do we accept the idea that is up to the business community to decide the shape and character of our economy? And, in particular, why do we hand over the reigns of our economy to the "free market" advocates who push their agenda, among other places, from the Commerce perch?

Oh, but you wait one second. There is a major turning point for unions on that graph too! There isn't a line for it, but you can tell where union membership starts to decline, when the wages stagnates! While I am not against a name change, it wouldn't do much... Instead, EFCA sure would!

Call to Teamster GOP members!

Please, if you are GOP and a Teamster, please push your party towards embracing responsible unions.

They are facing a terrible time, the GOP. One that will rock it's foundation forcing a new one. That foundation should include the admission that unions are not only necessary in the US but the world.

It should include fair trade provisions into 'free trade' - encouraging the growth of middle classes around the world.

It should feature companies making money, no question, but the greed and graft of CEOs should not dominate the party.

Class Warfare

They are just jealous! That's what they say when I talk about CEO pay.




Well, to heck with CNN, they dropped the video as soon as I posted it. Basically, it was, "look at how much those union guys make!" As if they made 466 times the average worker like CEOs.

Have to put forth the effort to beat them in the primaries too.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/31/labor.stern/index.html?eref=rss_politics

Union leaders threaten lawmakers. Good. Gotta get 'em early and often.

"Nine workers were killed."

So I'm watching a show about giant structures a minute ago and I was struck by this.

As to be an example of how large it was, it was cited that "Nine workers were killed." Workers need not die for a project to be large. One thinks of those workers as heroes, and becomes more proud of the project because of their loss? I wish the narrator hadn't reflected that way about it - it makes me sad.

McConnell's EFCA Attack

I hadn't really thought to call him about it really. I know how much he is against it. I take his words to be an invitation to clamor.

Mitch's email: http://mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm
Mitch's phone: (202) 224-2541
Mitch's fax: (202) 224-2499

Send Snail Mail (also):
Senator Mitch McConnell
Washington Office
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Also, call your district office:
Paducah (Western Kentucky Office)
Professional Arts Building
2320 Broadway, Suite 100
Paducah, KY 42001
Phone: (270) 442-4554



Bowling Green (South Central Kentucky Office)
Federal Building
241 E. Main Street, Rm. 102
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Phone: (270) 781-1673

Louisville (Louisville Metro Area Office)
601 W. Broadway
Room 630
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 582-6304



Fort Wright (Northern Kentucky Office)
1885 Dixie Highway
Suite 345
Fort Wright, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 578-0188

London (Eastern Kentucky Office)
300 S. Main Street
Suite 310
London, KY 40741
Phone: (606) 864-2026


Lexington (Bluegrass Area Office)
771 Corporate Drive
Suite 108
Lexington, KY 40503
Phone: (859) 224-8286

Lilly Ledbetter First Major Labor Win.

We fight for more than just ourselves. Another example of something we work for against our best interests is minimum wage.

Who is easier to organize, the pissed off woman or the one who feels comfortable and taken care of by the law?

How much did we win? A window to finding out:

C-Span (the greatest creation ever) Link

Hit 'Em In The Mouth!

It's not politics, or labor, but if you know me, you know why I posted this.

Fox News allows 'magic negro' New Year's message to be broadcast.

Bankrupt Bank Executives Recieve $1.6 Billion In Bonuses

Countdown: Thom Hartmann on the GOP Busting Unions

Conservatives are just plain wrong.

This is old, but I just found it. Thea Leah says what I've been thinking for me:

Maddow-Republic Windows and Doors sit-in-FULL SEGMENT

A Most Egregious Example of Agency Capture

Is Secretary Paulson. If agency heads don't come from the industries they regulate, where are they supposed to come from? From the lower ranks of the regulating body.

Everyone has an interest against agency capture except the capturers. But who in the special interest group world will look out for it? Only one has proven effective - unions.

A must read from Krugman:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/11/22/why_were_rescuing_wall_street/

Nonetheless, Citi is about to be bailed out while GM is allowed to languish. That's because Wall Street's self-serving view of the unique role of financial institutions is mirrored in the two agencies that run the American economy -- the Treasury and the Fed. Their job, as they see it, is to keep the financial economy "sound," by which they mean keeping Wall Street's own investors and creditors reasonably happy.

Teamsters Win!

I told ya so. It's my favorite thing to say.

Yes, an Obama/Biden win is a Teamster win.

First, Oprah backed Obama. Closely second, it was the Teamsters.

Biden was 'put up', was borne if you will, in 2004 by the Teamsters.

The question for me now is "what's best for the Teamsters."

I think about farmers. From Jefferson's Agrarian world until now they have been fought for by the left and the right. The Farm Bill is a gravy train that everyone wants on. Farmers are of the utmost importance providing the basic necessities of life.

As an interest group in an interest group world, it is best if both parties fight for you. Look at the Farmers. If I were a Republican, I want to watch for my ideals. How can the GOP reform itself to win enough to watch for those ideals? Include labor! You don't even have a labor tab on your website! Include labor. Half the time the minimum wage has been raised it raised employment because people thought it worth it to work. Yes, people can have a higher standard than simply making money. People can decide to do other things. Yes it can create a market that is able to provide at least the payments for what it buys. I've written a paper on why unions are better than the minimum wage (the answer is Republicans). Get it straight, reform your party, and win. I hope you don't. I love telling you, "I told you so."

Change to Win vs. Chamber of Commerce

I think this shows the CoC to be... well, just politically too far right economically.

Realplayer works with this link: rtsp://video1.c-span.org/project/de/news110108.rm

Chris Chafe, Change to Win, Executive Director makes much more convincing arguments than William Miller, Chamber of Commerce, VP & Political Affairs Director.

C-Span making their programs available on the web is awesome and a huge public service that I think will change government for the better.

It Is Our Moment 2

OH: Local Labor Walks for Obama

Bernie Sanders v. Kudlow

KY: Rubbertown Leafletting heroes!

Labor Union Movement

:)

TPMtv: Sunday Show Roundup: McCain's Bleak Week

Don't forget my national labor news blogroll!

National News

T. Boone Pickens Slams Drill-Only Republicans

Joe Biden: Akron, Ohio

He's a Teamster folks.

Local Letter

John McCain Gets BarackRoll'd

Pow!

Palin is a LIAR

Just like we were lied to by President Bush, and it's all okay by those on the right, Palin is now all okay with the right and a liar.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080904/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_fact_check

See Saw - National Ad for the Employee Free Choice Act

Whooo!

Wall Street Journal Article NAILS Commercials Against EFCA

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122039870904592899.html?mod=todays_columnists

...The business community has opportunities every day to stand up for a "democratic workplace." Why don't the Chamber's member companies just let their workers vote whenever management wants to increase the deductible on their health insurance? Why doesn't the Employee Freedom Action Committee run indignant TV commercials every time a company moves a factory overseas without first consulting its work force? Where's the right to vote on the job when companies decide -- as they do year after year -- to hold the line on wages?

The answer, of course, is that most workplaces aren't democracies at all. They are dictatorships, of varying degrees of benevolence...

Read the whole article, it's great. Hat Tip to the AFL-CIO Weblog, it's listed in the national labor news feed I provide and as itself to the right ------------>

Barack Obama's Labor Day Message

Where is John McCain's Labor Day Message?

DMI releases survey

This shows the necessity of Voter Education. Read the full report here:

http://www.drummajorinstitute.org/library/report.php?ID=73

Our Next Vice President

Woot Woot!

Ad Tries to Fool Kentuckians

from: http://kyaflcio.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=1

Union-bashing disguised as concern for workers

Kentucky's workers and voters should recognize that the recent rash of anti-union TV and radio ads are nothing more than propaganda intended to divert the attention of the electorate from the critical issues of the day: health care, good jobs, education, trade, retirement security, energy security and the war.

Voters should reject the cynical premise of this ad campaign along with those responsible for its dissemination.

The ads' principle claim is that the proposed Employee Free Choice Act would take away a worker's right to choose union representation by the traditional or ”secret ballot“ election procedure. Not true. Under this legislation, there still would be an option to have the National Labor Relations Board administer ”secret ballot“ elections at the workplace.

Under the current system, employers are the ones who make the decision whether to call for an NLRB election — which they often do because it gives them months to run an aggressive anti-union campaign.

The Employee Free Choice Act would put this decision in the hands of workers. If 30 percent of them choose to have an NLRB election they can; if they prefer majority sign-up, they will have that option as well.

Majority sign-up is not a new approach. For years, employers such as AT&T, Cingular Wireless, Harley-Davidson and Kaiser Permenente have allowed that majority sign-up, finding that it results in less hostility and polarization in the workplace than the failed NLRB process.

The ad campaign attempts to deceive the voters into thinking that Employee Free Choice is on schedule to be voted on in Congress. The bill was passed 241 to 185 in the House on March 1, 2007. The U.S. Senate passed it 51-48 on June 26, 2007.

But thanks to arcane Senate rules, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and company were able to obstruct passage in spite of the majority vote. If there is some sense of urgency associated with these ads it is that McConnell, the obstructionist in chief, is in trouble this November.

Those responsible for these ads, the Center For Union Facts (more appropriately the Center for Union Mis-Information and Propaganda) and its allied organization, the Employee Freedom Action Committee, are the creation of Richard Berman, who has a reputation for mounting vigorous media misinformation campaigns on behalf of wealthy, unnamed clients.

Accordingly, Berman ”never discloses his financial backers, allowing large, mainstream companies to fund him without having to associate their brand names with his sharp-elbowed approach,“ according to the Nov. 3, 2007, Las Vegas Sun.

It is an insult to the hard-working men and women of Kentucky that someone like Berman would try to convince them that he, his organization and its rich contributors are on the side of workers.

The Kentucky backers of this propaganda include state Rep. Jim DeCesare, R-Rockville, who sponsored the 2006 ”right-to-work-for-less“ bill.

What a joke. Wealthy businessmen, CEOs and anti-union politicians — who have opposed unionization at their workplaces in the most vigorous manner and support anti-union, anti-worker legislation — want us to believe that they care about workers' rights to join a union.

A clear example of why the Employee Free Choice Act is so needed is the 15-year struggle by the nurses at Louisville's Norton Audubon Hospital to have a union election free from harassment, intimidation, surveillance and other illegal management tactics.

As The Courier-Journal reported on July 24, ”the National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint charging Norton Audubon Hospital with coercing nurses to vote against a union. The complaint alleges that hospital managers told nurses that they could lose wages if a union came in and that they kept pro-union nurses from distributing literature.“

It is long past time that workers reject this wholesale undermining of their right to collective bargaining to improve their living and working conditions and support candidates who support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Don't be fooled by the ads of these phony front groups. Their goal is to help re-elect McConnell so he can continue blocking legislation critically important to the workers of Kentucky and the nation.

Drill Now? (pushback)

It's not labor or Central Kentucky related admittedly, but poignant and timely.

KY: USW Worksite Leaflets at ASRC 8-8-08

I'll be looking to do something similar at my company soon.

McCain: Get to Work

Obama 2008!

Heather Ryan At Fancy Farm. A James Pence Video

:)

Bruce Lunsford At Fancy Farm

:)

Steve Beshear At Fancy Farm, Kentucky

Whoo! Amen Brother!

Hat Tip and a Bow: HillbillyReport

AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka on Racism and Obama

There's lots of bad reasons to vote against Obama - but I get what he was trying to say.

Every Kentucky Citizen Should Fill This Out.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/efca_ky_bruce_lunsford/explanation

We must show our leaders that we aren't fooled by flashy radio commercials that demagogue unions like the one that has run on behalf of Mitch.

Lose on Issues? Attack Character -

John Kerry is right that he knows this firsthand for sure:

Think it's easy to form a union? Better think again

Hat Tip: Employment Law Blog and Union Review

This is a great article: Union Review
...
But company owner John Dunkin was also handed the union flier that first day. And he didn’t want employees to have a union. Right away, management hit back hard to stop the campaign.
...
Union staff weren’t allowed on the property. Only Rogue Valley workers themselves would be able to talk to other workers about joining the union. And managers put a chill on that.
...
Managers announced a new work rule: Employees were forbidden to talk about the union. They could speak against the union, and they could speak about other things unrelated to work, but pro-union talk to co-workers was prohibited or limited to lunch breaks. Two employees were given written warnings for breaking the rule.
...

Rogue Valley Door managers approached workers individually and asked them if they supported the union, and whether they knew which of their co-workers supported the union. Pro-union workers swallowed their pride and played dumb. Anti-union workers took the chance to get ahead and named names. It became harder for workers to trust each other. It became scarier for pro-union workers to appeal to co-workers to sign union cards.

Known pro-union workers were watched closely while they worked, followed when they left their work areas, even watched on their way to the bathroom to see if they talked with anyone. Managers monitored their conversations with co-workers...

The Employee Free Choice Act would replace the employer-dominated election process with a majority sign-up process that gives unions the initiative. Which workers signed or didn’t sign the cards would still be secret from the employers who have so much power in the lives of workers like Ken Smith. But the union campaign would know which workers had signed cards. In that sense, the “secret ballot” might be lost, but workers’ effective right to unionize would be regained.

Bush Legacy Bus to be in Louisville.

I hope they include stuff about Mexican trucks.

www.americansunitedforchange.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeremy Funk, 605-366-3654

DATE: June 24^th, 2008

***Media Advisory for Thursday, June 26^th at 11 a.m. ET***

The Bush Legacy Bus Comes to Louisville , Spotlights Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Work in Washington to Put the Failed Bush/Conservative Agenda Ahead of Everything Else

45-foot, 28 ton Traveling Bush Legacy Museum Makes Latest Stop on National Tour Near McConnell’s Office, Where Local Kentucky Labor Leaders will Hold the “Obstructionist-in-Chief” Accountable for Enabling Disastrous Bush/Conservative Policies That Have Harmed Our National Security, Ruined the Economy and Sacrificed Key Domestic Priorities

“Yes, Sir, Mr. President” – McConnell Voted With Bush 94% of the Time

Click Here to Visit the Bush Legacy Tour Homepage

Louisville, KY – In what supporters of the President have dubbed his “legacy year,” Americans United for Change, the progressive issue-advocacy group best known for leading the successful fight to beat back President Bush’s effort to privatize Social Security in 2005, has hit the road with its latest effort, the Bush Legacy Bus. The bus is a 45-foot long, 28 ton, bio-diesel-powered museum on wheels featuring several interactive exhibits on how two terms of failed conservative policies supported by Bush and his allies, including Sen. John McCain and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have weakened America’s security abroad while neglecting and undermining important priorities here at home.

The latest stop on the national Bush Legacy Tour will be near Senator McConnell’s Louisville office on Thursday, June 26th at 11:00 AM ET on the corner of Chestnut Street between 6th & 7th, where local KY labor leaders including Kentucky State AFL-CIO President Bill Londrigan will hold the “Obstructionist-in-Chief” accountable for voting in support of this President’s failed policies 94 percent of the time, according to Congressional Quarterly. The bus will then be opened to the public until 1PM, ET where Kentuckians will be given the chance to reflect on the Administration’s tragically inept response to Hurricane Katrina, the mismanaged and endless war in Iraq , ‘trickle-down’ economic policies that favored the wealthiest Americans and more.

The Bush Legacy tour kicked off in Washington D.C. on June 24th and will travel coast-to-coast throughout the summer, making nearly 150 stops in the hometowns of Bush’s allies in Congress, both national political conventions and symbolic and historic locations like New Orleans and Crawford , TX . Click here to visit the Bush Legacy Tour homepage: http://www.bushlegacytour.com

WHO: Americans United for Change

Kentucky labor leaders including Kentucky State AFL-CIO President Bill Londrigan

WHAT: 45-foot, 28 ton Traveling Bush Legacy Museum to Make Latest Stop on National Tour Near Mitch McConnell’s Office, Where Local Kentucky Labor Leaders will Hold the “Obstructionist-in-Chief” Accountable for Enabling Disastrous Bush/Conservative Policies That Have Harmed Our National Security, Ruined the Economy and Sacrificed Key Domestic Priorities

WHEN: Thursday, June 26th at 11 a.m. – 1PM, ET

WHERE: Near Senator Mitch McConnell’s Constituent Office
Corner of Chestnut Street between 6th & 7th in Louisville , KY

*NOTE - In addition, the Bush Legacy Bus will be opened to the public down at the waterfront in Louisville for the after hours concert series from 5 – 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 25th (400 East Witherspoon (Between North Preston and North Floyd Streets)

More about the "Enron Loophole"

My stock price is suffering from this shit and it is affecting my company. Nobody is more interested in my company doing well as I rely on them for wages, healthcare, and my retirement.

Support PUMP

Copied and Pasted from a .pdf file I received in my email:

June 20, 2008

The Honorable Bart Stupak, Chairman
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation
Committee on Energy and Commerce
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Ten days ago, a broad coalition of consumer, labor, and business organizations joined to advocate immediate reforms in the widely-speculative energy commodity futures markets. While a long-term, rational energy policy including increased supply is our ultimate goal, bipartisan, near-term solutions to the market frenzy are absolutely critical. Experts agree that today’s surging oil prices are beyond those warranted by supply-demand fundamentals and are due, in large part, to rampant speculation.

In early June, speculators traded more than 1.9 billion barrels of crude oil – 22 times the size of the physical oil market, including $150 billion traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange alone. Sophisticated “paper” speculators who never intend to use oil are driving up costs for consumers and making huge profits with little to no risk.

With your leadership, we see an end to the current unwarranted escalation in oil prices. All coalition members are pleased to endorse and to pledge our full support for the prompt enactment of your proposed “Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices Act of 2008.” The PUMP Act will apply a much needed brake on rampant energy commodity speculation to drive down unprecedented, surging oil prices crippling the economy.

The heart of PUMP is Section 2 that extends CFTC jurisdiction over energy commodities that now enjoy a host of trading loopholes. Specifically, we applaud your bill’s focus on
opening up the market to greater transparency and fairness to level the playing field for all traders. We fully support the bill, including strong provisions that:

• bring over-the counter energy commodities within CFTC’s oversight responsibilities;
• close the “swaps loophole” by extending CFTC regulatory authority to swaps involving energy transactions, another important step towards needed transparency;
• extend CFTC regulatory authority to energy transactions on foreign boards of trade that provide for delivery points in the United States, a common sense measure as other products delivered in the United States are subject to the full panoply of United States regulation, save energy commodities; and
• require CFTC to set aggregate position limits on energy contracts for a trader over all markets, ensuring that traders do not corner markets by amassing huge positions and playing one exchange off another.

The undersigned strongly endorse the PUMP Act, urge Congress to act promptly, and pledge our full support for your efforts.

Air Carriers Association of America
Air Line Pilots Association
Airports Council International
Air Transport Association
Air Travelers Association
American Association of Airport Executives
American Society of Travel Agents
Association of Professional Flight Attendants
Industrial Energy Consumers of America
International Association of Machinists
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
National Air Traffic Controllers Association
National Business Travel Association
National Farmers Union
Regional Airline Association

Steal from the Working - Give to the Rich - The Motto of the LHL?

McClatchy Corp. CEO Gary Pruitt promised McClatchy employees in April that any future cuts would be “humane, sensible and with an eye toward the future.”

Today McClatchy, which owns dozens of newspapers, including the Lexington Herald-Leader, announced corporate-wide layoffs of 1,400 employees that are not humane, sensible or with an eye toward the future. This amounts to approximately 10 percent of McClatchy’s workforce.

The Guild does not believe it is humane when employees who have put in a lifetime of service to McClatchy and Knight-Ridder are thrown to the curb while McClatchy’s excessive corporate bureaucracy remains untouched. In fact, just last week McClatchy added a new corporate vice
president.

The Guild does not believe it is sensible that Mr. Pruitt is allowed to keep his $800,000 performance bonus from last year, even though McClatchy stock has lost 71 percent of its value.

The Guild does not believe downsizing is the best approach to our future and believes McClatchy and the Herald-Leader would be more successful by strengthening core departments and improving websites, while seeking additional venues for its quality products.

The Lexington Newspaper Guild understands that in these challenging times that change and sacrifice are necessary. But sacrifices should be made in an equitable manner and not as a short-term response to long-term financial concerns.

The Lexington Newspaper Guild, CWA Local 33229, represents 100 newsroom workers at the Herald-Leader.

Contact information available by request.

I'm sick, and now you are too! Whoo hoo!

http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2008/06/why_there_were_germs_on_the_st.html

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who was on the panel, gave what was perhaps the scariest example, telling of a hotel worker in Nevada who went to work sick and infected 600 hotel guests. "It's not only a moral issue but a social issue," she said.

Press Release from Americans United

www.americansunitedforchange.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Jeremy Funk, 202.470.5878

DATE: May 22, 2008

Americans United for Change Slams Obstructionist-in-Chief Mitch McConnell for Voting Against 21^st Century G.I. Bill for Troops Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan

Washington D.C. – Americans United for Change, a leading coalition partner in the Iraq Campaign 2008 seeking a responsible end to the war, blasted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for voting against meaningful legislation to establish and fund a 21st century G.I. Bill that ensures our fighting men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan do not have to worry about paying for a quality, college education. With no help from the Senate’s Obstructionist-in-Chief, the U.S. Senate today overwhelming passed by a 75-22 margin an amendment to an Iraq/Afghanistan/Domestic priories supplemental appropriations bill that restores full, four-year college scholarships and makes the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan part of an American economic recovery, just like the veterans of World War II were. The U.S. House passed a similar amendment last week, despite President Bush’s veto threats.

“For all the lip service Senator McConnell pays back home to the sacrifices our troops are making overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, he sure has a funny way of showing his support in Washington,” said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United for Change. “He stood with President Bush and tried to stand in the way of a 21st century G.I. Bill that reflects the needs of a struggling economy and skyrocketing tuition costs. That McConnell can vigorously support spending of $12 billion a month to continue this President’s failed Iraq war policies but not a fraction that amount on these brave soldiers’ education when they return home signals just how radically skewed his priorities really are. In fact, the first two years of the new GI bill would cost what we spend in two days in Iraq . Senator McConnell really ought to be embarrassed to face any Kentucky veteran today after voting like this. Despite all his empty rhetoric about supporting the troops, when faced with a simple choice of voting for ’em or against ’em – McConnell voted against ’em.”

“The original GI Bill launched millions of families on a course to achieving the American dream – and set the American economy on the right course after a draining war. It returned $7 to the economy for every $1 spent on it,” added Funk. “Current GI educational benefits pay only about 60 percent of a public college education and 30 percent of a private college education. That’s simply not enough, especially in an economy slipping further and further towards a full scale recession. Ensuring that these men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan don’t have to worry about how they’re going to afford a quality education is the very least we can do to truly show our appreciation and support. But, for whatever reason, Mitch McConnell just said ‘no.’ It’s a real question of priorities, and Mitch has his completely mixed up.”

-30-

The new GI Bill fully restores GI education benefits for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to the level available after World War II.

• The new GI bill restores full, four-year college scholarships to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to help make them part of an economic recovery like the veterans of World War II.
• It will give our returning troops the tools to succeed after military service and make military service more attractive as we work to rebuild our military, and strengthen our sagging economy.
• Under the new GI bill, service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan, who have served 3 years on active duty, would receive benefits to cover the costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school.
• Education benefits would be available to troops who have served at least 3 months of active duty since September 11, 2001, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
• The new GI bill is broadly supported by all major veterans’ organizations, including the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
• The first two years of the new GI bill would cost what we spend in two days in Iraq .
• The new GI bill is paid for by imposing an income tax surcharge of one-half of one percent on individuals with incomes over $500,000 and couples with incomes over $1 million.

Ben Chandler Endorses Teamster Endorsed Obama

Introduction of Chandler by the man - Yarmuth.

Hat Tip: Hillbilly Report

Mitch McConnell misses the boat.

from DMI blog:

Mitch McConnell, the Minority Leader in the Senate, recently said, "We think that [the Ledbetter Fair Pay Act] is primarily designed to create a massive amount of new litigation in our country, and I think that is the reason for the resistance to its passage on our side."

The boat on this one is the realization that there is rampant discrimination that needs to be litigated. If it wasn't there, then it there wouldn't be any. People shouldn't be afraid of litigation when they will win. I can sue Mitch tomorrow, doesn't mean I'll win. On the other hand, if he has discriminated against women, then he should be afraid. As should all sexists.

The Quest for a Living Wage: Unions vs. The Minimum Wage

Executive Summary:

The change from an Agrarian economy to an Industrial economy has changed the density that the average person lives in. In highly dense areas, we are more dependent on others irregardless of whether they provide services. The better our neighbors do the better off we all are. Our neighbors may work low skilled jobs to where a free market in labor is unable to provide them with the necessary resources to not be drains on our wealth. With more urbanization, even before industrialism took off, people saw the need to reward those working with the ability to not be parasites on their neighbors wealth. They first called for unions. They then called for a 'Living Wage'. A 'Living Wage' is impeded by capitalists, who only see the short term costs and race to the bottom trying to be free riders. One of the major proponents of a 'Living Wage' is labor unions, even though it is against their best interest.

The best this country has been able to do is make a clumsy attempt at a Living Wage named the Minimum Wage. This paper first explores the history of the Minimum Wage - it's implementation, advocacy, and impediments. It also makes it clear that a major driving force behind Minimum Wage increases is organized labor. It then points out the shortcomings of Minimum Wage and concludes with an argument for organizing low wage workers instead of pushing for Minimum Wage.

Whole Paper Here

Making sure this has been posted here:

The GOP stopped it again. They have just enough folks to stop important legislation.

Equal Opportunity

Hat Tip to the Hillbilly Report and PoliticsTV.com

Pennslyvania is a case for fair trade - not free trade.

http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_viewpoints_pa_jobs_and_nafta

Opinion pieces and speeches by EPI staff and associates.

[ THIS PIECE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN NYTIMES.COM BLOG ON APRIL 15, 2008. ]

Pennsylvania stagnation: Is NAFTA the culprit?

By Robert E. Scott

The Democratic presidential primary in Pennsylvania has drawn attention to troubles in the state’s manufacturing sector and to the role played by the North American Free Trade Agreement specifically and by global trade generally. Despite isolated success stories, Pennsylvania manufacturing has experienced job loss and stagnation for over a decade. Not everything that has gone wrong with the Pennsylvania economy is due to trade, but the worries of workers in the state (and throughout the country) about what globalization means for their living standards are well-founded.

http://www.epi.org/content.cfm/webfeatures_viewpoints_pa_jobs_and_nafta

Everybody's Mad

for listening to Republicans talk about the Democratic Primary.

So I listened to the Sunday Sports Talk Shows for football stuff. They didn't produce. I did this by plugging in an old unreliable alarm clock. The shows last for multiples of hours and the sleep function is an hour so that's how I listened. The alarm clock was set to go off at what it thought was midnight or noon or whatever the default time is. It just went off again.

What do I hear but Leland Conway feigning anger! Rush Limbaugh has gone mad endorsing Hillary votes whenever possible (that's a big huge sign in favor of Obama folks). And the Sunday political shows featured Republicans feigning anger over Obama's words.

Here's a clue folks, people really are angry.

Black people are angry over racism.
The typical white person is angry over their dollars losing their value. The typical white person is angry over trade that isn't really 'free'. The typical white person is mad over corporate GOP control of their livelihoods when they have fucked it all up. I'm white, and I'm mad!
The typical white person living in a small town is angry too!
And yes, as a liberal, I'm mad at the typical small town person for not listening to economic issues. I love saying, "I told you so," typically. But "not this time".

So, what does the corporate GOP do about it? They tell us we should be mad at each other and nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that McCain and McConnell want 100 years in Iraq - a giant hole to throw our best and brightest into to sometimes never see again - nevermind the damn money. It doesn't matter that he wants to keep tax breaks to the rich that cost us our bridges and the people on them when they fall into the river. All that matters is that we are angry - so we should vote for Hillary to keep the status quo on killing Americans for no good reason.

Well, screw them! What matters is that we need an economy that works for people that work. What matters is that we stop throwing away lives - nevermind the money (ok, not really, it matters too) - in Iraq. What matters is the value of our hard earned dollars. What matters is that we recognize we are angry and to deal with it by kicking out the people who are REALLY the one's making us mad. Words aren't sticks and stones - taking our livelihoods is.

The official cereal for the Chinese Games?

The Colbert Report suggests Oppressos. If you don't watch The Daily Show and it you are out of the loop.

South Park however sucks. They had a show 'shoving off' the WGA.

19,000 already?

Last year the Teamsters added 21,000 members. It was a good year in which unions increased in size for the first time in some 30 years. This increase existed even in private industries.

So far this year? 19,000! Whoo hoo! I hope these new members are as excited as I am about being a Teamster!

http://teamsterpower.com/no-joke:-almost-19,000-vote-teamsters-first-quarter

hat tip: DailyKos / Teamster division.

Jack Pattie makes racist comments

"What would 50 cent be like as president?" Then, he went on to throw out just about every stereotype possible. It was a thinly veiled attempt to scare white Kentuckians from a black president.

Giggles all around in the background.

I think I will quit listening to talk radio. I learn a lot more from C-Span and what-not. I'm sick of hearing racism, corporatist (the religion) zealots, and every policy turning into a Morality Issue. I'm sick of hearing about how I don't deserve health insurance because I work part-time while I go to school. Dave Baker said that, and after I objected he started talking about how his day just got worse.

Jack Pattie is the WVLK-AM (590) morning host.

We want to live better - but not like that...

Does McConnell vote against himself?

So, I get this from Megavote:

Amendment to establish an earmark moratorium for FY2009 - Vote Rejected (29-71)

The Senate rejected an amendment to the 2009 budget resolution that would have placed a yearlong moratorium on earmarks, special spending requests used by members of Congress to fund projects in their districts.

Sen. Mitch McConnell voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Jim Bunning voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

And I am in disbelief. We have the minority leader in the Senate. His commercials brag about his position as being powerful for winning benefits to his constituents. He couldn't win jack with a moratorium. I would have expected this vote to go the opposite really.

Union Support Pushes Candidate Over the Top.

It is a good year to have unions on your team.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2008/03/12/indiana-union-members-help-send-carson-to-congress/

Kentucky Change to Win Endorses Lunsford for Senate

Lunsford is back in good graces. Good.

from the LCJ:

"We asked him all the hard questions, and we are satisfied that he will be there when the going gets tough," Zuckerman said.

"Why did you pick on UPS?"

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-01-31-cover31_N.htm

The author of that story said on C-Span, airing twice today, that UPS was picked on because:
A: They had a large number of fundraisers.
B: They reported everything they did.

Also, he said that Fed Ex has parties too - and is proud of using an obscure exception to not have to report them. They give their house for non-profit use sometimes. Is it because they love charity? No, it's so they don't have to report.

I'm happy UPS plays by the rules. I'm happy they lobby. They deserve to be able to as long as everything is on the up and up. Fed Ex has not been on the up and up with a lot of things - especially since they went into Ground Service. Courts have said so from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Presidents

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has endorsed Barack Obama for President.

I was hoping for this decision.

Mitch's Wife Fails to Protect Workers, again

So it's been known at least since 1987 that sugar dust blows up sometimes and what to do about it. I didn't know, but it's not my job. It's the job of Mitch's wife to know - and then protect workers in the workplace. She had to have known, because the Chemical Safety Board told her, that sugar blows up.

The Bush Administration ignores or forgets to read important documents. Part of that administration is OSHA and it's department head is Elaine Chow. Elaine Chow is the wife of Senator Mitch McConnell. The Bush Administration equals Mitch McConnell.

LHL Part-time Employees Agree to Extension for benefits.

They will have benefits until 2010 as part of a five year contract. They are free to renegotiate at that time. The company is obviously fearful of potential increases in the cost of healthcare - expected to be ridiculous under our current system of profits and million dollar parachutes.

Under the compromise agreed to by the Guild and Herald-Leader, part-time health insurance benefits for part-timers employed on the date of the signing agreement will be protected until Jan. 1, 2010. After that date, the Herald-Leader may eliminate part-time health insurance for those employees so long as it provides the Guild with 90 days notice.

Members of the Lexington Newspaper Guild, CWA Local 33229, the union that represents the Lexington Herald-Leader's 100 newsroom workers, voted unanimously tonight to ratify a tentative five-year collective bargaining agreement.

The contract is retroactive to January 1, 2007, and will expire December 31, 2011. A tentative agreement was reached on Jan. 19 after Guild and management bargaining teams met for two days with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The major sticking points in negotiations were company proposals regarding paid time off and health insurance for part-time workers. Under the compromise agreed to by the Guild and Herald-Leader, part-time health insurance benefits will be protected until Jan. 1, 2010. After that date, the Herald-Leader may eliminate part-time health insurance so long as it provides the Guild with 90 days notice.

The Herald-Leader's current paid time off (PTO) plan will be preserved until Jan. 1, 2010. After that time the Herald-Leader or Guild may renegotiate the PTO benefits. The company would have to reach agreement with the Guild or bargain to legal impasse to implement changes.

"While this is far from an ideal compromise, this is a compromise that we can live with," Lexington Newspaper Guild president Brandon Ortiz said. "We want to thank the Lexington community for its support, which we believe was instrumental in convincing the Herald-Leader to make significant movement from its two previous final proposals. We specifically want to thank the 30,000 members of the international Newspaper Guild, and its president, Linda K. Foley; the Communications Workers of America; CWA Local 3372 and its president, Mike Garkovich; the Bluegrass Central Labor Council; the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, and its president, Bill Londrigan; and state Rep. Kathy Stein."

The new contract contains several improvements for newsroom workers. It requires the Herald-Leader to pay half the premium for COBRA health insurance benefits for 60 days in the event of layoffs; increases the notice for layoffs to one month; raises pay for news assistants when they write stories; and increases shift differentials for night-time and supervisory work.

As part of the settlement, the Herald-Leader got several items that it said it needed for flexibility. It can now assign reporters to take pictures; will have more flexibility administering pensions and health benefits; and can create up to five salaried senior reporter positions.

--
The Lexington Newspaper Guild-CWA
Local 33229 of The Newspaper Guild (CWA-TNG, AFL-CIO, CLC)
www.lexguild.org

There is no TR in this election Karl - geez

Ever notice the sidebar on this blog where it says that we are still waiting for the Republican version of the Democrats - Labor Issues web?

Republicans were not, in the beginning, anti-union. From memory, Lincoln said, "When they go on strike they have good reason." TR was very pro-union.

It bugs the heck out of me that they never see the utility of unions. They don't recognize that employers can be shitty people. I was a GOP partisan when I was 12, then I read The Jungle. I was so appalled! It sparked my curiosity and I found that employers took advantage of employees as a routine. The profit motive drives down wages and there must be some sort of counter-balance. Unions today aren't powerful enough to keep the middle class growing - they aren't powerful enough to keep workers out of poverty even.

Our president has gutted the agencies whose job is to protect workers. His administration has made decisions that are responsible for deaths in mines. He has passed reporting rules for unions that, if applied to corporations, would make them hire Blackwater to take over the government.

So, to my surprise, Karl Rove said that the GOP has to reach out to everyone. Even union members, Latinos, and Black people. I caught this watching C-Span Sunday night - his speech was Wednesday.

Is there a pro-union GOP candidate? Not Ron Paul, not Mitt Romney, take a tour of Youtube to watch union members blast Rudy. Huckabee seems the least hostile - but that's seeming for you. SCREW YOU KARL, your peeps won't get a lick of attention from us except to nail them as often as possible.

Why am I watching C-Span instead of Scrubs or That 70's Show? Because I'm union and so are the writers. They are on strike. I'm not going to watch anything but sports - don't question my fandom - and 'public' TV. Okay, I might have anyway - too many commercials.

Don't stop watching TV because of the writer's strike:

There's great stuff on C-Span: http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/schedule.csp


01:20 PM EST
0:45 (est.) LIVE
Speech
Romney Campaign Event
Romney Presidential Campaign
W. Mitt Romney , R, Massachusetts
The beginning and end of this live program may be earlier or later than the scheduled times.
06:00 PM EST
0:30 (est.) Roundtable
South Carolina Presidential Primaries
C-SPAN, Newsmakers
Mark Sanford , R, South Carolina
James Rosen , McClatchy Newspapers
08:00 PM EST
1:00 (est.) Interview
Q&A with Jonathan Karl
C-SPAN, Q&A
Jonathan Karl , ABC News
09:00 PM EST
0:30 (est.) Foreign Legislature
Question Time
British House of Commons
Gordon Brown , Labour, United Kingdom
11:00 PM EST
1:00 (est.) Interview
Q&A with Jonathan Karl
C-SPAN, Q&A
Jonathan Karl , ABC News
12:00 AM EST
0:30 (est.) Foreign Legislature
Question Time
British House of Commons
Gordon Brown , Labour, United Kingdom
06:00 AM EST
1:00 (est.) Interview
Q&A with Jonathan Karl
C-SPAN, Q&A
Jonathan Karl , ABC News
07:00 AM EST
3:00 (est.) LIVE
Call-In
Washington Journal
C-SPAN, Washington Journal
10:00 AM EST
1:30 (est.) LIVE
Forum
Human Rights and Major Natural Disasters
Brookings Institution, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement

and don't forget C-Span 2!

Ronald Reagan has been heralded a lot lately.

The Teamsters supported him the first time. He turned his back to the Lincoln stance on labor unions - "when they go on strike it's because they have good reason."

Air traffic controllers have been the subject of a lot of talk in Central Kentucky. Would enough eyes be on the air and ground if it was a better - union - job?

Traffic Controllers Declare Staffing Emergency at Four Airports
from AFL-CIO Weblog by Mike Hall

The staffing crisis in the nation's air traffic control system is so severe and the potential for a serious accident climbing so rapidly that the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) today declared a staffing emergency covering airspace surrounding Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Southern California, four areas of the country with some the busiest airspace in the world.

NATCA says the emergency declaration means that controllers do not have sufficient numbers of trained and experienced personnel on the ground to safely handle the volume of traffic in the air and at major airports.

Last year, 10 percent of controller workforce left the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the union says by Feb. 3, 500 controllers will have retired already this fiscal year, with 2,200 more controllers able to retire by year’s end.

Who ever heard of Kingsport Tennessee?

It's a small one company town in the northeast corner of Tennessee - near Bristol. I went to 2nd and 3rd grades there. I have never seen it in the national news. The powers that be there have a very strong grip on the media and drive public opinion. They are staunchly anti-union.

I never expected to hear labor news from there. If somebody had said, "Labor news will come from there," I would have guessed it was in the form of anti-union actions of Eastman Chemical or one of it's vendors. Well, I would have been right. It is amazing to me that 33 truck drivers there decided to go Teamster. It does not surprise me that they were summarily fired for it. The powers that be there do feel like they are above the law. Hopefully, they will be taught a lesson.

You can take action by following this link:

http://www.teamsterstakeaction.org/campaign/tcw

How does this reflect on our Senator?

People do not like Bush because of the failures of his government's branches. One of the least effective has been MSHA. The Miner Act was passed with Mitch as a major player in pushing for the bill. His wife being the Bush appointment overseeing it's implementation should have made it even easier. Considering that the Miner Act was a carcass of real miner safety this is a black eye for our senator McConnell.

Chao Misses Mine Safety Deadline. Bush Appoints Stickler—Again
from AFL-CIO Weblog by Mike Hall

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao missed the Dec. 15 deadline to issue new federal rules for better trained mine rescue teams at the nation's coal mines. The Charleston Gazette reports:

The rules are still not finalized and are sitting at the White House, under review by the Office of Management and Budget.

In 2006, spurred by what would become the highest coal mine death toll since 1996—including the deaths of 19 coal miners at the Sago, Aracoma and Darby mines in West Virginia and Kentucky—Congress passed and President Bush signed the MINER Act that mandated several mine safety improvements, including rescue teams.

Guild rallies for fairness at Lexington Herald-Leader

Andrew Horne For Senate 2008!

http://andrewhorne.org Expect an announcement at noon. A candidate who stands up for working families, the middle class, and education.

Kentucky Senate Race 2008

I was very disappointed to hear that Crit Luallen isn't entering the race. I'm really hoping for a candidate that supports things like the EFCA, worker's rights, road safety, mine safety, and education. A candidate who really helps working people and the middle class, and makes college more affordable.

Great "Daily Show" Clip

Support Our Brothers and Sisters at the Lexington Herald Leader

http://www.fairnessathl.com/

Click there to learn more!

"But McClatchy has not been so generous to its new employees here in Kentucky. In contract talks with its newsroom workers, McClatchy is demanding the right to slash sick leave and gut or eliminate health care benefits for its part-time employees. Many of these workers have families that depend on the newspaper's health benefits.

The Herald-Leader has long editorialized in support of universal health care. Tell the paper to practice what it preaches."

UPS Teamsters Approve National Master Agreement

Almost a year early, UPS Teamsters have approved a contract that will take effect August. It is a strong contract in that it provides for the pensions and retirement packages of before Central States' Perfect Storm. UPS has bragged to it's part timers that the health insurance coverage will improve.

The raises for part timers will be $4 over 5 years per hour plus COLAs. I hope the COLAs reflect reality - which I don't think they have. The co-pays on the insurance return to $10 and I hear the drug coverage will get better (it needs too!).

There are disadvantages... but Central States will receive $6.1 Billion in cash and UPSer's retirements are protected.

Hey Big Money! Buy me a pop? Take me golfing sometime pensioner?

Ought to be a really good day for stockholders tomorrow. I am assuming this information is new and didn't make it out before close today when we lost $0.43 a share.

Good Discussion Here:

I made some good points and with some smart guys on the other side that are at least trying to be pragmatic. http://cyberhillbilly.blogspot.com/2007/11/david-broder-looks-at-unions-and-kys.html

"God Hates Laborers" doesn't get 40%

Stan Lee, not the esteemed comic book writer, for our national audience, but the "I know it's bad policy, but we are going to do it anyway and it doesn't matter because Jesus is coming back very soon" guy, got his clocked cleaned.

He pre-filed the Right to Work for Less and the "Government Shouldn't Have to Pay Decent Wages Either" (anti Prevailing Wage) two years ago. He was the one who motivated this blog. He was the one who motivated me to volunteer with MoveOn.org and GOTV for 25 hours this fall canvassing.

He represents the positions and values - use Government to protect the rich using God as an excuse - that is causing the backlash against the GOP.

The Onions Best Piece Ever!

Before this starts, there is a commercial for a movie featured at Wal-Mart. Oh the irony!

Gap Unveils New 'For Kids By Kids' Clothing Line

Vote Pro-labor!

Straight Democrats this year... surprise.

Labor Day

On holidays like Labor Day, we think about presidents, Jesus, veterans, moms, dads, the revolution, harvests and pilgrims, ghosts, etc. Usually, the History Channel has a big day with spotlights on the history behind the day and what not.

With Labor Day, it's all about SALES. This is SAD!

If you missed it, from the national news button:

Let’s Put the Labor Back in Labor Day

from DMI Blog by Bruce Raynor

Labor Day’s not only the end of summer and a time for back-to-school sales and barbeques. While corporate America would like you to go deeper into debt over this holiday, I want you to join me in reflecting on the American middle class.

It’s no coincidence that Madison Avenue would rather you think about shopping than think about workers. And it’s no coincidence that the decline in the labor movement has led to a decline in the middle class. But this decline is not caused by workers not wanting union representation: 53% of workers who don’t have a union want one.

And why wouldn’t they? Union workers have higher wages, are more likely to have health insurance and retirement security through a pension and get more time off to spend with their families. Union members are also more engaged citizens. For instance, union members vote at a higher rate than most Americans.

The reason for the decline of unions and the middle class is not immigration. When immigrants join with their co-workers in a union, they join the middle class. When they don’t, they often toil in poverty. An immigrant housekeeper in a New York City hotel, where there’s a strong union, earns good wages with health benefits and a pension. An immigrant housekeeper in an Atlanta hotel, where there is no union, doesn’t.

Employers will use any means available - including an immigrant’s fear of deportation - to stop workers from organizing and protect their bottom line. 82% of employers hire anti-union consultants when workers try to organize. 91% of workers who try to organize are forced to attend intimidating, closed-door meetings with management. And every 23 minutes, a worker is fired or discriminated against for supporting a union drive. Is it any wonder that unions are on the decline?

That’s why companies like Cintas, which is facing a record-breaking $2.78 million penalty for safety violations that led to the horrific death of employee Eleazar Torres Gomez, think they can get away with a campaign of coercion to keep workers from forming their union.

And when workers at California-based Prudential Overall Supply launched a campaign last June, that company also responded with threats, coercion, and intimidation. These courageous workers have voted to strike in protest the company’s alleged Unfair Labor Practices. Hundreds of union Prudential workers - whose contracts expired on August 14 - have also voted to strike in solidarity with their non-union brothers and sisters, which could begin as early this week.

And that’s why American Eagle Outfitters, a company which prides itself on its image and style, thinks it’s okay to ignore its Code of Conduct and do business with a company that preys on its workers.

Even when workers finally get a union, employers still fight. Next week, more than 12,000 hotel and casino workers in Las Vegas will be voting to authorize a strike at 18 properties to try and get their fair share of that booming tourism trade. And the cafeteria workers at Citigroup in New York City are still trying to negotiate a contract more than a year after their last one expired. They work for Aramark, a national food service company, who subcontracts with a wealthy company in a booming city, and yet they still won’t do the right thing.

Given all of this, you might think I would be pessimistic. But I’m not – and I hope you aren’t either. Workers across this country are still fighting for the chance to join a union -- and we need to fight with them. We need to support the Employee Free Choice Act. We need to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will bring immigrants out of the shadows and make it easier for them to join a union. And we need to continue to support workers who, despite all the odds, recognize that joining a union is the best chance to join the middle class. Honor boycotts, join a picket line, help form a union, and help rebuild this country’s middle class.

Pension will get fixed....

The Teamsters National United Parcel Service Negotiating Committee has been advised that UPS has reached an agreement in principle with the Central States Pension Fund establishing conditions for a potential UPS withdrawal from Central States.

http://www.teamster.org/07news/hn_070802_5.asp

The APWA is a terrible idea. The logistics of such a transfer are impossible. In order for it to happen, the Teamsters would have to be decertified nationally. Most UPSers are not nearly as angry as Central States members. They won't vote for it for sure. Then, if it did happen, who thinks that UPS would allow certification of a new union? Active members of the union would be fired shortly if we were to change to an at-will employment situation. At most workplaces, unfortunately, a company doesn't have to have a reason to fire someone. UPS would join most workplaces.

This confirms that the union and company recognize there are major problems and UPS Central States members are very unhappy. This confirms that the situation will be worked out.

Will Stan Lee put UPS in jail?

or just deny hard working Kentucky UPS employees and state tax payers benefits for their loved?

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070731/NEWS03/707310309/1007

"The company says that it wants to extend domestic partnership benefits nationwide in its next contract with the Teamsters, who represent 238,000 of the company's 427,700 employees nationwide. The current deal expires July 31, 2008."

Our Senior Senator's Wife: from the national news button

Labor Secretary Says American Workers Are Stinky
from DNC - Labor

Elaine Chao, Senator Mitch McConnell's wife, Secretary of Labor in the Bush administration, told Parade magazine--a national weekly read by millions of Americans--that the nation’s workers need a bath if they want to keep their jobs. From the AFL-CIO:

Chao told Parade it’s not just the low-cost of foreign labor that is enticing many U.S. employers to ship jobs overseas—overseas workers dress and bathe better.

Beyond the cheaper cost of labor, U.S. employers say that many workers abroad simply have a better attitude toward work. "American employees must be punctual, dress appropriately and have good personal hygiene," says Chao.

In 2004, Chao’s Labor Department changed the rules on overtime pay, making millions of workers ineligible. This year, she tried to outsource around 250 Department of Labor jobs.

Members of AFGE Local 12 passed out bars of soap at Department of Labor headquarters in Washington, DC today. The soap says, "Chao Thinks You Stink."

National News button

There is a new national labor news button on the right pane. Check it out. Also, I don't post very often. I hate that people might check this site a lot and not see stuff. I have started using Google Reader as my RSS reader and it's awesome. It's also easy to learn. If you don't already use a RSS reader try it out. If you include this site and the national news feed you will be well informed about labor.

http://www.google.com/reader

Another Must-See Video

Kentucky Labor 2007

EFCA Rally Video

from the machinists
cue from afl-cio blog

AFL-CIO Releases Endorsements

• Governor/Lt. Governor: Steve Beshear and Dan Mongiardo
• Attorney General: Jack Conway
• Secretary of State: S. Bruce Hendrickson
• Auditor of Public Accounts: Crit Luallen
• State Treasurer: Todd Hollenbach

from http://kywomen.typepad.com/kentucky_women_power_pass/

DOT Taking Public Comments: Tell Them "No Mexican Trucks!!"

The Department of Transportation is requesting public comments on its proposal to open the southern border to unsafe Mexican trucks. Here is your chance to have your voice heard. We've put together several talking points to help you craft your message and instructions on where and how to submit your comments.

Share this information with our Teamster brothers, sisters and supporters. Thousands of messages against this scheme to outsource our jobs will send a clear message to the Department and to Congress.

Comments must be completed by May 31, but Act Now and pass this link along today! Our jobs, our safety rely on your action.

http://www.teamster.org/action/political/NAFTA/dot_submit.htm

Reposted from a message received on myspace from the Teamster account.

I voted! How did you?

The local did not make recommendations for Governor except to endorse anybody but Lunsford. I am interested in who members voted for.

Me? Gatewood for Governor. I really liked Miller too. Didn't know much about Beshear, but Mongiardo and Miller's endorsement was enough to make him my third choice. If it wasn't for those three, I would have held my nose a bit to vote. I don't think the polls were right, but if the Beshear/Lunsford runoff happens I will campaign for Beshear. Lunsford scares me because he said Fletcher lied to him. If he had asked me, I would have told him beforehand that was going to be the case. One of the main things a Governor has to do is pick a staff - and judgment of someones truthfulness is important.

I also voted Jack Conway for AG.

Washington Post Shows it's Conservative Bias.

In The Teamsters vs. the public: Guess who wins in the House, the Washington Post argues that the public lost with passage of the Safe American Roads Act.

It calls allowing 100 carriers overly modest. I don't know how large some of these companies are, but I'm guessing their trucking industry is a lot like ours. 100 carriers being overly modest when those carriers are of the mexican versions of UPS, FredEX, CF, OD is about stupid.

The article finishes with, "Doing so would drive prices down on a range of goods without endangering anyone." Yeah, right.

Administration agrees to include pro-union language in trade deals

http://www-tc.pbs.org/newshour/rss/media/2007/05/11/20070511_trade28.mp3

"It's a win-win for everyone."

Mitch McConnell makes appearance in DSCC ad

Heads up from http://politicstv.com

This will be completely ignored by everyone else...

Don't expect anything from the 'liberal' Lexington Herald-Leader.
Don't expect anything from the 'liberal' Louisville Courier-Journal.
Don't expect anything from the 'liberal' New York Times.

They are owned by the exact people at whom Americans are angry with. Pay attention especially to the number of independents angry.

Media Bias is to themselves.... as is everyone's bias.... to the victors go the spoils... we forgot... never again.

Good, I was getting hungry.

http://www.teamster.org/07news/nr_070421_1.asp

Toyota should set the bar higher

AFL-CIO blog linky

....

At the town hall meeting, Tim Unger, an 18-year veteran Toyota worker, said he’s noticed that some long-time workers have “disappeared” from the plant after they were hurt on the job—victims of Toyota’s quest for improved efficiency. Says Unger:

Shoulders would wear out, wrists would require surgery and back and hands started to fail. It seemed as if the good people who contributed to the success of Toyota were being used up and disposed of like garbage.

Also, at the town hall forum, other workers such as Noel Christian Riddell, a 10-year veteran skilled-trades worker, said the company seems to be relying more and more on low-wage temporary workers and ignoring experienced workers:

We executed model-change activities faster than any other manufacturer. I truly felt my contributions played a role in the company’s success. But something happened. After only a few years, training ceased. Suddenly, I had no sick days. My raises became smaller. My benefits were cut. My group’s manpower was slashed. And the number of temporary employees steadily grew.

...

Democratic Forum from KET

http://ket.org/election/

Why vote against Lunsford?

Top 10 Reasons To Vote Against Bruce Lunsford For Governor

10. During the 2006 congressional race, Lunsford personally contributed more money to Anne Northup ($4,100) than to John Yarmuth ($2,000).

9. Four years ago, during the KET Democratic gubernatorial debate, Lunsford vowed to support the Democratic nominee in the general election, but on October 20, 2003, while standing next to his “friend” Sen. Mitch McConnell (R), Lunsford endorsed Ernie Fletcher for governor.



8. Lunsford now promises “I’ll fix our broken health-care system” but as Chairman and CEO of Vencor, he paid $104.5 million to the federal government for Medicare/Medicaid fraud claims.

7. A few months before Vencor publicly admitted to investors about declining revenues and staggering debt in 1997, Lunsford had sold 50,000 shares at $47 apiece, for $2.35 million. Within three months, Vencor was trading at $30/share, and eventually the stock became worthless.

6. On the Vencor Board of Directors at the time of its crash was none other than current U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, also the wife of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R).

5. Following his election as governor in 2003, Fletcher named Lunsford to lead a blue ribbon transition team to re-organize government. Immediately, Lunsford’s team eliminated the Labor Cabinet.

4. After Congress cut Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes, Lunsford offered cash bonuses to his employees who successfully evicted seniors who relied upon Medicaid to pay their bills so they could fill those beds with higher paying, private patients. This practice was known as “patient dumping.”

3. After Congress passed legislation to outlaw Lunsford’s practice of “patient dumping,” he paid a Washington, DC lobbyist $60,000 to try amend the Social Security Act to allow patient dumping after courts told him to stop and Vencor had been fined $780,000 for trying to kick out 137 residents.

2. Between 1995 and 2000, Lunsford personally donated $52,000 to federal political candidates and parties. Of that amount, $40,250 (77%) went to Republicans, including to both of Kentucky’s Republican senators, four Republican congressmen (Rogers, Whitfield, Lewis, Northup), as well as the Republican Party of Kentucky, Republican National Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee, and George W. Bush for President.

1. In May 2003, Lunsford dropped out the Democratic gubernatorial primary after polls showed him falling into third place (behind Ben Chandler and Jody Richards). Rather than finish third, Lunsford pulled-up lame and blamed a mean Chandler television ad for his surrender.



Does Kentucky want another wimp as governor?

***On May 22, Kentucky Democrats must refuse to elect Bruce Lunsford as its nominee for Governor***
This (without the vids), originally appeared on bluegrass report.

Video shows impact of NAFTA

Q: Why do the Latinos come here?

A: If they try to organize in Mexico they get killed.

The ONLY solution to illegal immigration is to allow Latin Americans the freedom to organize.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/04/10/floc-organizer-beaten-to-death-in-mexico/

Santiago Rafael Cruz, an organizer for the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), was found bound and beaten to death this morning in the group’s Monterrey, Mexico, office.

FLOC opened an office in Monterrey next to the U.S. Consulate there in 2005 to help members coming to North Carolina as guest workers in processing their visas, to fight corruption in the recruitment process and to develop leaders and train members. The office has been the target of break-ins with files and equipment destroyed.

Local Media Coverage of Picket Shows Bias

This is the first story I've seen:

KY Kernel

Sad huh? Everyone in town has seen it I'm sure.

The Economy needs unions....

We need 'buying power' - in this case meaning the ability to pay the bills. The following is, just like the decline in those having health insurance, a result of the fall of unions. The big corporate folks don't understand we need the ability to buy their stuff.

“A national survey showing a soaring number of homeowners failed to make their mortgage payments in the last quarter of 2006 rattled lawmakers in Washington and the markets in New York yesterday, as the Dow Jones industrial average plummeted 2 percent, or nearly 243 points.”

Linky.

Cue from ThinkProgress in Thinkfast.

Ditch Mitch Kentucky!

A new blog for the roll, Ditch Mitch Kentucky will highlight Mitch's support for failed policies and all the other reasons he should be dumped (into a ditch? no, just from the Senate).

ADD http://ditchmitchky.com TO YOUR BLOGROLL TODAY!

His wife is spotlighted today. She heads the Labor Department. Of course, the Labor Department has been something for large corporations to use against workers under the Bush Administration. It has failed to protect miners (MSHA), workers in general (OSHA), and made rules against joining unions (NLRB). Chao, don't know why she didn't pick up his name, and Mitch are not some kind of opposites attract couple. They are peas in a pod fighting against control of government by the American Middle Class like good elitists do.

Great Letter to the Editor by Teamster Brother

Linky

Since the decline of organized labor, middle-class America has disappeared. The current laws make it almost impossible to organize anymore.

.... [this part is good, click on the Linky]

Mr. Will states that the EFCA will "short-circuit the process of persuading workers through a public debate between unions and employers." What the heck is he talking about? Never have I had a debate in the same room with employees, management and union representatives. It would never happen because the employers' lies would be exposed.

Please, middle-class America, wake up. Join organized labor.

.... [I picked out great parts, but there are other really good ones, click on the Linky]

Support the Fair Currency Act

Senator Bunning DOES something good. Weird. On the trade issue he has been pretty consistently in favor of workers. A few votes here and there usually. This legislation is way overdue.

Linky

Senator Bunning: “For too long American workers have suffered as a direct result of the unfair trade practices of countries like China and it’s time we act to protect the American businesses and the jobs of working families,” said Bunning. “I have worked hard in both the Banking and Finance Committees to analyze and address the unfair trade practice of currency manipulation and I believe this bill offers a viable solution to the problem by putting in place the tools and policies needed to level the playing field with our trading partners.”

Bush will veto EFCA?

I had never thought he would do anything else. This bill is needed for situations like the one he has created. Currently, a secret election is to be carried out by the NLRB. Bush runs the NLRB. Congress was GOP and didn't keep it's eye on the NLRB. So, the NLRB had no reason to provide a swift and fair election.

If Bush, through the NLRB, had done his job fairly we wouldn't need this Act.

If Congress had done it's oversight job fairly we wouldn't need this Act.

The fall of the American middle class is directly linked to a fall in union membership.

The US Chamber of Commerce is running radio ads against 51 of the representatives that voted for this bill, I hope it backfires on them. It should if the voters in those districts are paying attention.

Linky-Link

Mitch McConnell is anti-worker.

...Last week, the House passed a $1.3 billion package of business tax incentives and breaks designed to get stalled minimum wage legislation into a conference with the Senate. But that’s not business-friendly enough for Senate Republicans....

from our friends at the AFL-CIO Blog. McConnell is their leader.

Yarmuth and Chandler both co-sponsor EFCA

Change to Win on EFCA

That's why we elected them!

Bush has said that this legislation would never get a signature - to protect workers?!?

That is why I attack him here so much.

Change to Win Coalition (lack of) Endorsement...

Lunsford supported Fletcher - Fletcher tried to pass Right to Work for Less and Repeal the Living Wage. Even with Stumbo - decidedly pro-labor - that ticket cannot receive the endorsement of Kentucky's unions.

It looks as though Change to Win is leaving it to each local to decide who to support. None of the other democratic candidates are objectionable as far as union support goes.

As I mentioned earlier - Fletcher pushed anti-union legislation. Harper has stated he would try. Northup has taken union money before - but has said that she supported Right to Work for Less. None of these GOP candidates are worthy.

Kentucky Senators Vote to Repeal Minimum Wage

Grouped By Vote Position

YEAs ---28
Alexander (R-TN) Allard (R-CO) Bennett (R-UT) Bond (R-MO) Brownback (R-KS) Bunning (R-KY) Burr (R-NC) Chambliss (R-GA) Coburn (R-OK) Cochran (R-MS)	Cornyn (R-TX) Craig (R-ID) Crapo (R-ID) DeMint (R-SC) Ensign (R-NV) Enzi (R-WY) Graham (R-SC) Gregg (R-NH) Hagel (R-NE) Hatch (R-UT)	Inhofe (R-OK) Isakson (R-GA) Kyl (R-AZ) Lott (R-MS) McCain (R-AZ) McConnell (R-KY) Sununu (R-NH) Thomas (R-WY)

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/01/25/28-senators-vote-to-repeal-minimum-wage-2008-elections-anyone/

They don't stop at rights to overtime...

The administration, through Alberto Gonzales, says that "not every citizen has the right of habeas."

Specter flips! I've always respected his work on Judiciary.

"You are violating common sense."

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WAcpWmXYnQQ

Violence against overseas unions reminds us...

...how hard our forefathers fought for economic justice. There were murders and assasinations here too. It could happen again. We must stay vigilant. One of the best things we can do to support our troops is to support the workers in Iraq. If they feel they have American friends they will be less likely to kill our military brothers and sisters.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2007/01/19/deadly-week-for-union-members-around-the-globe/

In less than a week, four union members in two countries—Guatemala and the Republic of Guinea—were murdered or kidnapped for standing up for their freedom. And in Iraq, two trade unionists were killed and seven kidnapped in the ongoing violence.

Kentucky River

Democrats.org has a post called "Bush Labor Board Decision Harms Nurses" that's worth checking out...

The Republican-dominated National Labor Relations Board voted Tuesday to classify millions of workers as supervisors. Under federal labor law, supervisors are prohibited from forming unions.

There's already a shortage of nurses - and it will get WAY worse. Government should do everything they can to make that job MORE attractive. By doing the opposite, they are giving this country a terrible blow. Healthcare could suffer grave consequences - pun intended, but not to be funny.

Why isn't Kentucky River getting more attention in the so-called 'liberal' press in Kentucky?

Conservative Edge's Goettl confused....

http://www.conservativeedge.com/?id=readarticle&AID=3132

The Democrats have overspent for years, and let the Kentucky Retirement System reach the verge of insolvency,

The Republicans have been in control for long enough to be responsible.

Things for Teamsters to be Thankful for:

Wins in this fall's elections will:

make our workplaces safer,
will help us win a fair day's pay for a fair day's work,
keep a national right to work for less law out of the federal books,
make it easier to keep overtime in future contracts,

can you think of more?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cruser at 2:40

at 2:40 today he blamed the assertion that we could never quit printing dollar bills on the unions. HUH? Where did that come from?

Two Guys Videos

These guys are great.

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/labor2006/video_twoguys.cfm

VOTE!

http://www.teamster.org/resources/election/vote.htm

Mid-Term Elections

The Teamsters Union elections are not the only important ballots members will be casting this fall. Mid-term elections will be held on November 7, 2006.

In the United States Senate, 33 of the 100 seats are being contested. The election for members in the House of Representatives is scheduled for the same day, as well as many state and local elections, including those for 36 state governors.

"Pensions, jobs, health care and every other issue affecting workers will be impacted in one way or another in the next few years," Hoffa said. "Our representatives in Congress and state and local government will have a huge say in these issues. I urge every member to find out from their local union who the Teamsters have endorsed in their area and help get those people elected."

College Tuition

http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=60914



This is old, but I think it makes a point about the current tax cuts and who they have an effect on.

My E-Mail to Yale

Titled: The Reputation of Yale

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hope that occasionally you meet to discuss admissions policies. I hope that you consider occasionally dropping 'legacy' admissions. It is my hope that this e-mail is used as evidence in these discussions. If you are not willing to forward this to such a committee I ask that I be given contact information so that I may do it more directly.

This is not a meritocracy when we have a monkey as president. He is an idiot. Yet, when pointed out how much of an idiot he is, the response is always, "but he has a degree from Yale."

This is YOUR fault. Without that degree he would be a CEO of another failing oil company - at a time when such things seem ludicris. That would be much preferred.

He is an amazing tarnish on your college. Your reputation amongst us rednecks, hillbillies, and other 'lower' classes has taken a major hit. They listen to me, especially this time of year, and I read "The New Yorker" (Comment: Top of the Class, October 2nd, 2006). I also watch Sixty Minutes. Most of my colleagues do the latter - it comes on after football and they don't even have to change the channel.

Thank you,

John Blickenstaff,

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/articles/061002ta_talk_wickenden
http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/view_topic.php?id=25402&forum_id=17&highlight=idiot

Is the American Dream Reachable?

It is due to the decline in union membership.

Two Thirds Feel American Dream Harder to Achieve

Americans not sure government can help

Dateline October 1, 2004

Two-thirds of the American people say the American Dream is becoming harder to achieve, especially for young families, and they point to financial insecurity and poor quality public education as the most significant barriers, according to a new survey released today by the National League of Cities (NLC).

http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneymatters/a/baddream.htm

New Members for IBT Local 89

http://www.teamster.org/06news/hn_060624_3.asp

Workers for the company, which is headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky are responsible for hauling a substantial amount of rock and asphalt on the interstate.

They wanted seniority rights and better benefits.

CEO's need more checks against their power...

or else they will fleece shareholders and employees. Here is another example:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/andoutrageousoptions

Mine Safety Bill must pass House...

Read about it here from the AFL-CIO

This bill has Ben Chandler as a sponser in the House. Where are the rest of the Kentucky representives? It is the same bill that was sponsered by both our Senators - Mitch McConnell - R and Jim Bunning - R. Why in the world is the House dragging it's feet?

I know why. The House is a dirty little secret for big money lobbyists in Washington. Light has been shed on that recently - with Jack Abramoff and all. Still, this shows that coal mine operators have too much influence there.

Oxygen devices probably failed in latest disaster.

That is what the survivor said.

(It was terrible that the coal truck driver died)

Of course coal mine operator pukes think this:

Senate Bill too costly?!? whatever

Hoffa Rebukes UPS for Anti-Union DVD

I want to see it.

http://www.teamster.org/resources/upsfreight/EskewLetter.pdf

How to Stop CEO Greed?

Some government cap? Nope.
Some crazy tax law that punishes people for making too much? Crazy idea - no.

What then? Shareholders rights!

Shareholders should not only know what their executive boards make through yearly statements, as a current rule change suggestion the SEC is considering, but should be able to vote on these crazy $400 M parachutes.

The two new laws I support the most are the Employee Free Choice Act and this.

"Steal from the Poor - Give to the rich" - America's CEOs

AFL-CIO blog post

Maryland’s ... Public Service Commission, gave a thumbs up to a 72 percent rate hike that will hit customers of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. this summer.

Now, it could very well help hand a $40 million windfall to an energy company CEO tied to that humongous rate hike.

The public needs to make the sacrifices necessary to create the super rich class we so desperately need! Yeah, right.

Bush Adminstration has done NOTHING to protect miners.

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/05/21/it%e2%80%99s-time-to-protect-coal-miners/#comments

More than four months have passed since the year began with the devastating Sago mine disaster in West Virginia, which killed 12 miners. And nothing meaningful has been done by the Bush administration or Congress.

I heard on the radio that 3 of the 5 died due to lack of oxygen. We have the technology, we have the resources, we have to fix this!

Teamsters Add Jobs in Louisville

Okay, it's really UPS. But the Teamsters are the wheels that make UPS go.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bizj/060517/1289472.html?.v=7

SEIU President On the War on the Middle Class

Audio

Whom to vote for?

From IBT Local 651 Political Liason Mike Watson:

Theresa Isaacs - Lexington Mayor
Carol Angel - Fayette County Clerk
Ben Chandler - 6th District, US House

Quebecor World Recieves International Criticism

http://www.teamster.org/06news/nr_060510_1.asp

War on Middle Class is winning:

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=679#comments

The reasons for greater economic distress among middle-class households are not hard to pinpoint. Slow income growth between 2001 and 2004…has not kept pace with the rising cost of big ticket items such as housing and education loans, medical expenses and transportation. Family budgets have been squeezed.

Debating Labor's Future...

I wish I could be there...

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=680#comments

Workers, Community Leaders Denounce Racist Act at Quebecor World

http://www.teamster.org/06news/hn_060505_4.asp

Scores of employees at Quebecor World facilities in Olive Branch, Mississippi and Covington, Kentucky rallied in solidarity with community leaders to protest the company’s unwillingness to denounce racist propaganda.

Quebecor World, formerly Rand McNally in Lexington, has a terrible safety record. I met a guy with only one arm who had worked for Rand McNally. He said that he would still have his arm without the takeover. That Rand McNally was huge in safety, but Quebecor World had cut his team by a third and forced more production. That isn't good when working with presses.

the Teamsters Union has responded to attempts by Quebecor to once again slash workers' health benefits at unionized plants by launching a campaign asking that customers "Tell Quebecor To Say 'I Don't' to Worker Abuse." The union has also investigated accident reports and have linked several accidents and deaths in US plants to poor safety conditions and inadequate safety.

The Economy is doing grrrreat!

But where's the jobs?

http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/educationcabinet/March+county+rates+2006.htm

Attorney General Stumbo Subpoenas Gas Refiners - Gas Price Investigation Heats Up

http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/ag/gasrefinerssubpoenaed.htm

GET EM!

Site of miner death gets fined....

http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/environment/05-01tristarcoal.htm

Again, a little late don't you think? The article fails to mention how much, I'm guessing $20.

Gov. Fletcher declares May 1st Miner Recognition Day.

http://kentucky.gov/Newsroom/environment/05-01minerrecognitionday.htm

Made a big deal of it too eh? Found out about it today. Wonder if they get the day off with pay? Don't even think of it.

Laura Bush to visit Louisville...

and make an appearance at Mr. Thornton's mansion. Mr. Thornton owns Thornton's - one of which is within walking distance of my house. I happen to know some people who have worked there. They do not speak kindly of their former employer. No raises and the like. They certainly need a union.

http://www.bluegrassreport.org/bluegrass_politics/2006/05/tonedeaf_or_stu.html

Allied Carhaul Hotline

http://www.teamster.org/06news/nr_060502_1.asp

Georgetown and University of Miami workers show UK employees how it's done.

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=606#comments

On the eve of Cinco de Mayo, the holiday that celebrates the victory of Mexican fighters against Napoleon’s army, the mostly immigrant janitors at Georgetown University and the University of Miami are celebrating their own wins.

Fed Ex to pay $7.35 M for abuse...

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/business/1146279311314110.xml&coll=7
Requires some mundane information, link expires in two weeks. Shows the value of unions for companys. There ain't a way this would have flown at UPS.

A third?

How does this sound for a response: Blow up the Solidarity Charters program that’s uniting unions at the state and local levels and create yet a third labor federation.

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=594#comments

I don't know enough to comment really. I hope somebody who does would.

Educational Expenses Part of War on Middle Class

Our government provides a service with state run universities. That service helps the underpriviledged by giving discounted education. It is in the best interest of the country that we do more as we are falling behind.

Increasing tuition, decreasing grants, and increasing interest rates is not the best way to stop our losses. The only reasoning must be to wage a battle against the middle class.

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=488#comments

Never let anyone pay themselves!

We need new rules cause this just sucks. CEO's of losing companies ought to be losers too. In today's environment Hershey's Chocolate wouldn't exist because one of Mr. Hershey's bad ideas would have paid handsomely.

If you bought $100 in Pfizer stock in 2000, your investment today would be worth $55.70. While the company’s stock is tanking, CEO Henry McKinnell has the biggest guaranteed pension in the United States—worth $6.52 million a year or a lottery-winning-sized lump sum payment of $83 million—according to the AFL-CIO’s 2006 Executive PayWatch. The information is based on Pfizer’s 2006 proxy statement.

Carrying signs saying “Give It Back Hank!”, hundreds of union members rallied outside Pfizer’s annual meeting April 27 in Lincoln, Neb., to tell company stockholders McKinnell not only has cost the company big bucks in stock devaluation but that he is a leader in the fight to deny pensions to others. McKinnell chairs the Business Roundtable, a major backer of efforts to privatize Social Security.

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=559

A bigger pile for mine safety!

When a Congressman or Congresswoman makes a decision they are a little unsure of they often use two piles. They put all the letters and phone messages for a piece of legislation in one pile and all the against in the other. Whichever is bigger is how they vote. Make sure the Yes pile is bigger for these:

Ask your members of Congress to support H.R. 4695/S. 2231 and S. 2308, which would take immediate steps to protect the nation’s coal miners, including:

• Requiring immediate notification of accidents and rapid emergency response.
• Requiring new, stronger standards on mine rescue teams, communications, tracking devices and oxygen availability for mine emergencies.
• Setting mandatory minimum penalties for egregious and repeated violations.
• Prohibiting the use of conveyor belts to ventilate work areas.

http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/minesafety

Employee Free Choice Act just three away...

http://blog.aflcio.org/?p=533#comments

Three more co-sponsors. That’s all that’s needed to get a majority of House members to sign on to a bill that would level the playing field when workers try to form a union.

Hoffa on Worker's Memorial Day