LaborWeb Articles

Writing Across Borders

Wed, 22 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

After her husband was murdered while working as a journalist in the Philippines, Marivir Montebon arrived in the United States seeking political asylum with the hope of finding a better, safer life for herself, and for her daughter who arrived two years later.

“I always thought of a green card as a second birth certificate—a second life,” Montebon says.

When she presents at the Writing Across Borders Conference in New York on June 1, Montebon will join other women and people of color on a panel to tell their stories about escaping abuse, oppression and the legacy of slavery. See more.

Let's Talk about the Future of Unions with Elianne Ramos

Tue, 21 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Leading up to the AFL-CIO convention in September 2013, the AFL-CIO is hosting a crucial conversation about the future of working people and of unions—in union halls and online at www.aflcio2013.org.

U.S. Brands and Retailers Should Sign the Bangladesh Safety Accord

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Rana Plaza, the Bangladesh factory that collapsed three weeks ago, killed more than 1,100 workers, many of them young women. This tragedy adds to the more than 1500 Bangladeshi workers killed in preventable fires and building collapses since 2005. Documents found at the factory show that the workers produced for big names in global retail revealing the link between poor workers in Bangladesh and major retail brands.Obviously, the government must improve local laws and their enforcement to stop these tragedies, but brands must also take responsibility for their supply chains. They must be held accountable to the tragedy that happened in their supply chain.

Attack on NLRB Goes Beyond Washington, Costs Illinois Worker His Home

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Marcus Hedger will have to wait even longer to get his job back if Senate Republicans continue to block President Obama’s bipartisan nominees to serve on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Call your senators toll free at 1-888-264-6154 and tell them to confirm the board nominations now. Hedger was illegally fired in 2010 from his pressman’s job at an Illinois printing company for his union activities on behalf of his fellow union members in the Graphic Communications Conference of the Teamsters. Last September, the full NLRB—two Democrats and one Republican, at the time—ruled he should get his job back with back pay.

Trumka: The 'Grand Bargain' Is a Dead End

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Most voters agree that big corporations and the wealthy should start paying their fair share in taxes. But, of course, big corporations and the wealthy don’t want to do that. They want to pay less, and they are used to getting their way. So what do you do? Some people in Washington think the answer is a “grand bargain.” In a “grand bargain,” Republicans agree to stop protecting millionaires from having to pay a single penny more in taxes. In return, Democrats agree to cut Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits.

Q&A with Saru Jayaraman

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The partition that separates diners from the inner workings of the restaurant industry toppled for Saru Jayaraman shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Fekkak Mamdouh, one of the headwaiters of the restaurant housed on the top floor of the World Trade Center, approached Jayaraman seven months after the attacks. His former boss deemed him and his former crew “not experienced enough” to work in his new Times Square restaurant. Jayaraman, a 27-year-old organizer of immigrant women, took up the case to advocate for the displaced workers, organized protests and won—most of the workers were awarded the good jobs their former boss promised.

Jayaraman and Mamdouh formed Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United in April 2002 and were flooded with stories of workplace atrocities in New York City and, eventually, across the country. We spoke with Jayaraman earlier this month about her new book on the ills of the restaurant industry, Behind the Kitchen Door.

Keeping it CleanThe Custodians of Dr. Kings Legacy

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

For Lapronda Eason and the other building service workers at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, the link to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.--who died in Memphis in 1968 advocating for the rights of city sanitation workers to form a union--is as real as the job they do every day.

Trumka to Union Leaders: 'The Time Has Come for Immigration Reform'

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The time for immigration reform is now, says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. This will be a focus for labor in 2013 as the country needs to create a common-sense immigration process with a road map to citizenship.

SOLIDARITY RALLY!

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 05:00:00 GMT

We must stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and show that we will not sit by and watch as the right wing tramples on workers' rights. We will be doing recruitment and confirmation calls on Wednesday night from the labor temple. Let me know if you want to help make this a successful show of support for Wisconsin workers. If you can't help with recruitment calls, forward this email, spread the word on facebook (http://tinyurl.com/49tsujy), text and call your friends. New flier and handbill attached. You can print and cut up the handbills or I will have them ready for people to pick up on Monday. Solidarity!

"At the River I Stand" to be shown Martin Luther King Jr Day

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The January "labor movie night" in Duluth will be showing "At the River I Stand" as part of the MLK Day festivities. The 1993 film chronicles the AFSCME Memphis Sanitation workers strike in 1968, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous I have been to the mountaintop speech. Dr. King was assassinated the following day. Look for other MLK Day events at http://www.mlk-duluth.org/ To RSVP for the movie, go to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=267836940991&ref=ts

North East joins other Health Care Reform activists for Rally in Duluth

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The North East Area Labor Council teamed up with other health care reform organizations for a rally this past weekend. About 65 people attended the rally on the steps of the Gerald Heaney Federal Building to call on congress to pass health care reform now. Speakers included Alex Livadaros, small business owner and member of AFSCME local 66, and Alan Netland, President of NEALC and AFSCME local 66. Kathy Heltzer, a Social Work Professor at UMD and UEA member, was the MC for the event. Other speakers included Pastor Kathy Nelson of Peace United Church, Frank Boyle former WI legislator and retired member of LIUNA, and Duluth City Councilor-elect Kerry Gauthier.

Big Insurance. Sick of it.

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

From September 22nd edition of the Labor World
There’s a debate in Washington,DC about health care and it comes down to this: If the insurance companies win, the American people lose. On Tuesday two dozen area residents added their voices to the debate by visiting United Health Group’s OptumHealth in West Duluth asking the corporation to change its practices.

ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST.

Labor Movie Night in Duluth

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

On July 23rd Union members from the Twin Ports gathered to watch "Labor's Turning Point: The Minneapolis Truck Strikes of 1934" in Wellstone Hall. The documentary done by the University of Minnesota Labor Education Services chronicles the turbulent - and often very violent - strike that nearly doubled the wages of working class truck drivers in Minneapolis.

AFL-CIO Now Blog -- Recent News Stories

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Congress Introduces Employee Free Choice Act

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Today, March 10, 2009 the 111th Congress introduced the Employee Free Choice Act, which will restore workers’ freedom to bargain for fair wages, job security, better health care and secure pensions. The North East Area Labor Council praises Congressman Jim Oberstar and Senator Amy Klobuchar for their support and there work towards rebuilding a vibrant middle class.

We are confident the Employee Free Choice Act is going to become the law of the land.

Study Shows Union's Effect on Wages

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

We all know the benefits of being in a union - protection at work, job security, higher wages, and better benefits. This report proves what we in the labor movement already knew, a rising tide lifts all boats. Read the findings. Know the facts. Spread the word.

North East Area Labor Council Mission Statement

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The North East Area Labor Council is a coalition representing over 40,000 workers. Its' affiliates include the Iron Range Labor Assembly, the Duluth Central Labor Body, the Carlton County Central Labor Body, and Minnesota AFL-CIO affiliates in Northeastern Minnesota. Our goal is to constantly and consistently enhance the mobilization efforts of the labor movement in Northeastern Minnesota to better the lives of working people.

Read more...

LaborWeb Articles

Writing Across Borders

Let's Talk about the Future of Unions with Elianne Ramos

U.S. Brands and Retailers Should Sign the Bangladesh Safety Accord

Attack on NLRB Goes Beyond Washington, Costs Illinois Worker His Home

Trumka: The 'Grand Bargain' Is a Dead End

Q&A with Saru Jayaraman

Keeping it CleanThe Custodians of Dr. Kings Legacy

Trumka to Union Leaders: 'The Time Has Come for Immigration Reform'

SOLIDARITY RALLY!

"At the River I Stand" to be shown Martin Luther King Jr Day

North East joins other Health Care Reform activists for Rally in Duluth

Big Insurance. Sick of it.

Labor Movie Night in Duluth

AFL-CIO Now Blog -- Recent News Stories

Congress Introduces Employee Free Choice Act

Study Shows Union's Effect on Wages

North East Area Labor Council Mission Statement

Keeping it CleanThe Custodians of Dr. Kings Legacy