Sep
2011 4
2011 4
LIUNA Demands Boycott of ESPN Over Labor Day Weekend
The Connecticut Laborers’ District Council Business Manager Charles LeConche called for union members of the MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA to boycott all events held by ESPN during the Labor Day weekend. The proposed gesture is to show solidarity with their fellow union brothers. In a letter sent to each league’s union offices, LeConche said, ...
Aug
2011 29
2011 29
Local IBEW Leader Running for Louisiana State Representative
The conversation about how the labor movement should best direct its energy in upcoming elections is increasing in volume, to mixed results. The head of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, has turned a Jekyll and Hyde trick, at first renouncing the Democratic Party, then announcing support for President Obama, and then again claiming to ditch the ...
Aug
2011 26
2011 26
IL Governor Quinn Signs Legislation Increasing Penalties for Prevailing Wage Violations
Yesterday, Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn signed House Bill 3237 into law. This legislation takes several steps to boost prevailing wage enforcement including beefing up record keeping and reporting requirements for contractors, increasing the maximum penalty for willful prevailing wage violators from a “Class B misdemeanor” to a...
Aug
2011 22
2011 22
Michigan’s Governor Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Ban of Project Labor Agreements
Courthouse News reports on a complaint filed by unions against Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s PA 98, the anti-Project Labor Agreement legislation which “bans the state from awarding public contracts to any group that uses or even encourages unionized labor.” Project Labor Agreements are currently in effect in all 50 states,...
Aug
2011 17
2011 17
With All Eyes On Verizon, A Second Set Of T-Mobile Workers Inch Toward Unionization
In mid-July, Congressmen from New York and Connecticut began to express solidarity with workers who were trying to become the first set of T-Mobile employees to form a bargaining unit in the face of staunch any-union sentiment from the company. Support was entered in to the Congressional and printed in newspapers. About a week later, ...
Aug
2011 15
2011 15
IBEW Local 96 Members Take On The Post-Tornado Cleanup Of Sturbridge, MA
Nate Daniel and his fellow International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 96 members saw the distress that June tornadoes imposed on their Sturbridge, MA neighbors and felt compelled to help. The tornadoes that took four lives and seriously injured over 80 others left downed trees and debris littering the streets weeks after the...
Aug
2011 15
2011 15
Hundreds of Workers Hold “Candlelight Vigil For the Middle Class” At Verizon CEO’s Home
“The middle class is dying here, and we’re here to be together as one class, one people — whether it’s union or non-union working people. We need a break.” In a nifty, nearly performance art display of protest, hundreds of CWA Local 1101 members joined at the home of Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg to express ...
Aug
2011 14
2011 14
AFTRA Launches Twitter Campaign In Support of Central Illinois Broadcasters
Members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) in Peoria have launched a Twitter campaign in support of AFTRA Peoria members at WEEK/WHOI-TV in Central Illinois. Supporters of the Central Illinois news team – which includes photographers, producers, reporters, anchors, meteorologists and multimedia journalists – are...
Aug
2011 11
2011 11
“Pink Slip Rick” Gives Floridians The Chance to Robo-Call Governor Rick Scott
Since taking the oath of office, Florida Governor Rick Scott has been interrupting his constituents with a multitude of annoying, afternoon robocalls. Now, Pink Slip Rick Scott wants to give Floridians the chance to get revenge. A trip to the site allows you to sign up to record your own robo-call. On August 15th, the ...
Aug
2011 7
2011 7
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? 45,000 IBEW and CWA Verizon Workers Go On Strike
The pressure has been put on Verizon in the last month to change its approach to negotiating a new contract with its unionized workforce which is represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Communications Workers of America (CWA). Talks have now completely stalled forcing the unions to go on what is ...
Aug
2011 4
2011 4
Unions, LaHood Express Outrage Over FAA Shutdown; Delta’s Role Emerges; Rallies Planned
The undercard of the debt ceiling fight has quickly become the main event in Washington as the House of Representatives, led by a reluctant Republican contingent, all but adjourned for the summer leaving nearly 90,000 jobs and $200 million-per-week in tax revenue on the Capitol floor. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood made waves yesterday...
Aug
2011 3
2011 3
Union Painter Running For MA State Rep.
Union workers in Massachusetts may have a new ally in the state house next year as D.C. 35 member Roger Brunelle, Jr has announced he will be running as a Democrat in the special election to fill the vacant seat of former 12th District representative Stephen Canessa. The special primary election will be held on ...
