Labor Notes, an organization dedicated to the growth of the labor movement is holding a special on line workshop Jan. 6 to discuss what unions can do to protect immigrant fellow workers and union members from the threatened attacks by the incoming Trump administration.
The Labor Notes call to action, as posted on their website, reads as follows:
“As the Trump administration cracks down on undocumented workers, that persecution threatens the power and solidarity of all of us in the labor movement. From farm workers to food processing to janitors to taxi drivers to building trades to everyone whose labor makes society run, we draw strength from the recognition that an injury to one is an injury to all.
“Join rank-and-file union members at the Labor Notes National Call on building solidarity to support immigrant workers.
“When: Monday, January 6 Time: 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PT Where: This is an online event and will be held via Zoom.
“This national online workshop will start with a panel of union members and leaders sharing lessons on how we beat divisions in our unions and communities, and then laying out action plans for how we go on offense when immigrant co-workers are under attack.”
PITTSBURGH NEWSPAPER WORKERS BEGIN THIRD YEAR ON STRIKE
Communication Workers of America strikers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette began their third year of picketing the newspaper this past October. It is one of the longest strikes in America today.
Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh-CWA walked out two years ago after the paper unilaterally cut off the healthcare of its production, advertising, and distribution workers. Despite several court decisions favoring the union, the newspaper still refuses to bargain in good faith.
AFL-CIO HEAD CALLS FOR LABOR-CENTERED DEMOCRATIC PARTY
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler this week outlined a program calling upon the Democratic National Committee to re-orient its goals by bringing “working people back to its center.” Noting that union members voted for Democratic endorsed candidates from the top of the ticket on down at a much higher rate than the general public, she outlined a four-point program for the DNC when it elects a new slate of officers in the coming months. To see her full statement, click on the link below.
In a significant judicial victory, a judge in Wisconsin state court threw out a 2011 state law that had deprived public workers of the right to collective bargaining. The law, pushed through the legislature by the anti-labor governor at the time, Scott Walker, was enacted after Republicans won control the executive and legislative branches of the state government in 2010.
But, in a brazen political move, the law exempted police and firefighters unions, two unions that were supporters of Walker and Republicans. The law caused an uproar across the state at the time as thousands of workers turned out at the capital to protest it.
Judge Jacob Frost of Dane County Circuit Court ruled Dec. 2 that this selective choice of workers who get collective bargaining rights was a violation of the state constitution.
While former Gov. Walker condemned the decision of Judge Frost, the present governor, Tony Evers, hailed it as “great news for Wisconsin workers.” And Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale declared that “restoring union freedoms to Wisconsin workers will strengthen Wisconsin’s middle class, lift up the voices of workers and lead to better public services for our communities.”
https://www.spotlightonlabor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/icon.png500500Paul Beckerhttps://www.spotlightonlabor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/spotlight_logo_.pngPaul Becker2024-12-09 10:45:252024-12-10 13:48:03WISCONSIN JUDGE NIXES LAW THAT LIMITED UNION RIGHTS
PROTECTING IMMIGRANT FELLOW WORKERS FROM TRUMP ATTACKS
Labor BriefsThe Labor Notes call to action, as posted on their website, reads as follows:
“As the Trump administration cracks down on undocumented workers, that persecution threatens the power and solidarity of all of us in the labor movement. From farm workers to food processing to janitors to taxi drivers to building trades to everyone whose labor makes society run, we draw strength from the recognition that an injury to one is an injury to all.
“Join rank-and-file union members at the Labor Notes National Call on building solidarity to support immigrant workers.
“When: Monday, January 6
Time: 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PT
Where: This is an online event and will be held via Zoom.
“This national online workshop will start with a panel of union members and leaders sharing lessons on how we beat divisions in our unions and communities, and then laying out action plans for how we go on offense when immigrant co-workers are under attack.”
Courtesy Locker Associates, New York
For further information and how you can join in the Zoom conference click this link.
DECEMBER BITS & PIECES
Labor BriefsPITTSBURGH NEWSPAPER WORKERS BEGIN THIRD YEAR ON STRIKE
Communication Workers of America strikers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette began their third year of picketing the newspaper this past October. It is one of the longest strikes in America today.
Members of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh-CWA walked out two years ago after the paper unilaterally cut off the healthcare of its production, advertising, and distribution workers. Despite several court decisions favoring the union, the newspaper still refuses to bargain in good faith.
CWA News, 12/5
AFL-CIO HEAD CALLS FOR LABOR-CENTERED DEMOCRATIC PARTY
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler this week outlined a program calling upon the Democratic National Committee to re-orient its goals by bringing “working people back to its center.” Noting that union members voted for Democratic endorsed candidates from the top of the ticket on down at a much higher rate than the general public, she outlined a four-point program for the DNC when it elects a new slate of officers in the coming months. To see her full statement, click on the link below.
AFL-CIO Press Release, 12/10
WISCONSIN JUDGE NIXES LAW THAT LIMITED UNION RIGHTS
Labor BriefsIn a significant judicial victory, a judge in Wisconsin state court threw out a 2011 state law that had deprived public workers of the right to collective bargaining. The law, pushed through the legislature by the anti-labor governor at the time, Scott Walker, was enacted after Republicans won control the executive and legislative branches of the state government in 2010.
But, in a brazen political move, the law exempted police and firefighters unions, two unions that were supporters of Walker and Republicans. The law caused an uproar across the state at the time as thousands of workers turned out at the capital to protest it.
Judge Jacob Frost of Dane County Circuit Court ruled Dec. 2 that this selective choice of workers who get collective bargaining rights was a violation of the state constitution.
While former Gov. Walker condemned the decision of Judge Frost, the present governor, Tony Evers, hailed it as “great news for Wisconsin workers.” And Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Stephanie Bloomingdale declared that “restoring union freedoms to Wisconsin workers will strengthen Wisconsin’s middle class, lift up the voices of workers and lead to better public services for our communities.”
The decision is certain to be appealed.
NY Times, 12/2