Crist Wins Teachers Union Approval Along with Meek

Posted on Saturday, 05.22.10

By Associated Press
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Gov. Charlie Crist's strategy to appeal to groups that typically support Democrats in the U.S. Senate race may be working.

On Saturday, Florida's statewide teachers union issued a dual endorsement in the closely watched race, backing both the independent Crist and Democratic U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek. It was the first time the Florida Education Association, which consistently backs Democrats, endorsed two candidates for a general election.

``Usually it's one or the other and there's in Florida a pretty stark difference between Democrats and Republicans,'' said FEA spokesman Mark Pudlow. ``In this case, having a third candidate in there kind of changed the scenario a little bit.''

Broward Teachers Union Joins School Board in Backing State's Race to the Top Bid

The Broward Teachers Union has reluctantly agreed to join the School Board in signing off on the state's second bid for a grant from the Race to the Top competition.

With little union support, Florida came up short in the first heat of Race to the Top, a $4.35 billion national education reform program. The Broward School Board also turned its back on the state's first application and refused to sign it.

This time around, in the second round, the board decided to endorse the state's new application. Broward schools could be eligible for $34 million over four years. On Wednesday, the Broward Teachers Union did, too.

Alliance for Retired Americans - Friday Alert, May 28, 2010

House Passes "Doc Fix" for Seniors

The U.S. House passed a watered-down version of H.R. 4213, "The American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes, and Preventing Outsourcing Act," on Friday. The original bill was supposed to extend unemployment benefits, COBRA, and Federal Medicaid assistance to the states, as well as prevent doctors from being subject to scheduled Medicare reimbursement cuts beginning on June 1. The version that passed does include $23 billion in funding to put off 21% cuts in reimbursements to doctors for 19 months. This provision, known as the "Doc Fix," passed 245-171 and ensures that Medicare beneficiaries have access to quality and affordable medical care.

House Passes Watered-Down Jobs Bill, Too Late to Help Jobless

by Tula Connell, May 28, 2010

By 215-204, the U.S. House today passed a watered-down version of H.R. 4213, “The Promoting American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act of 2010.” The bill extends unemployment insurance (UI) for six months. But the Senate, now on vacation, will not even consider the bill until the week of June 7, a week after UI expires for millions of jobless workers.

The bill that passed today did not include the COBRA extension or Medicaid assistance to the states. It does include $23 billion in funding to put off 21 percent cuts in Medicare reimbursements to doctors for 19 months and ensures that Medicare beneficiaries have access to quality and affordable medical care. It also includes subsidies for local infrastructure projects by extending the Build America Bonds program and funds for summer job creation.

Progressives Set for America’s Future Now Conference, June 7–9

by James Parks, May 27, 2010

More than a year into the Obama administration and with November elections just ahead, progressive activists will gather June 7–9 in Washington, D.C., to forge a strategy to build a majority for real change in America.

The America’s Future Now conference, sponsored by the Campaign for America’s Future (CAF), traditionally is the largest gathering of progressives in the country. There’s still time to register for the conference. Register now here or click on the America’s Future Now icon above.

Alliance for Retired Americans - Friday Alert, May 21, 2010

Friday, May 21, 2010

(Alliance for Retired Americans)

Alliance Celebrates Victory of Mark Critz in Pennsylvania
On Tuesday, Democrat Mark Critz defeated Tim Burns (R), 53% - 45%, in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, winning a special election and a seat in Congress. Each political party said the race to succeed the late John Murtha (D) was something of a bellwether for the fall. "Seniors have elected a real friend to Congress," said Edward F. Coyle, Executive Director of the Alliance. "The Alliance looks forward to working with Mr. Critz on protecting Social Security as the President's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform comes up with its recommendations," he added, since Critz signed a pledge to oppose privatizing Social Security.

American Airlines Parent AMR Says Labor Costs are $600 Million Handicap Compared with Rivals

DAVID KOENIG, SAMANTHA BOMKAMP
AP Business Writers

3:19 p.m. CDT, May 19, 2010

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — American Airlines parent AMR Corp. said Wednesday that its labor costs are $600 million more than they would be under contracts at other large network carriers, a claim that was disputed by one of the airline's unions.

The company said it expects to narrow the gap as other airlines settle their open labor negotiations.

"We have the highest labor costs in the airline industry," AMR CEO Gerard Arpey said at his company's annual meeting in New York. "It is challenging to compete when there is a wide gap between the pay and benefits you provide your people versus your competitors."

Airlines Fight Fair Election Rules

by Mike Hall, May 19, 2010

Several of the nation’s major airlines–including Delta–are mounting a huge legal battle against a new federal regulation that makes union elections for air and rail workers more fair and democratic.

The Air Transport Association and 10 of the airline industry group’s members filed suit in federal district court to block the National Mediation Board’s (NMB) May 10 ruling that says air and rail union elections must be decided by a majority of votes cast.

An election that is decided by the majority of those who vote may sound like an obvious and common sense way to decide an election. But for years, the deck was stacked against aviation or rail workers in union representation elections, because they are covered by the Rail Labor Act (RLA). Until the NMB ruling, every worker who did not cast a vote in a representation election was automatically counted as a “No” vote.

Alliance for Retired Americans - Friday Alert, May 14, 2010

Incumbents Lose in WV, Utah as Voters Head to the Polls in Four More States
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) lost his bid for a 15th term Tuesday in a primary defeat. He is the first House member to lose a reelection bid in the 2010 campaign, and his defeat comes just days after Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) was knocked off the November ballot in Utah's convention process. Mollohan had a 98% lifetime score with the Alliance, including 100% in 2009. Bennett had a 5% lifetime voting record with the Alliance, and he scored 0% with the Alliance in 2009.

For Air, Rail Workers, NMB Rule Means ‘Democracy Won Today’

by Mike Hall, May 10, 2010

A new rule issued this morning by the National Mediation Board (NMB) means airline and rail workers will now be able to choose whether to join a union under rules that are more fair and more in line with democratic principles.

For decades, the deck has been stacked against workers covered under the Rail Labor Act (RLA) because every worker who did not cast a vote in a representation election was automatically counted as a “No” vote. The new NMB rule says that an election’s outcome will be decided by the majority of votes cast, just like every other election, from city council to the presidency.

LL 731 May Business Meeting

The May 2010 monthy business meeting of IAM Local Lodge 731 will be held at the Union Hall, 277 Tallulah Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32208 on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:00pm.

The meeting lasts for about an hour, so please take time to attend the meeting. Directions can be found by clicking on the Maps & Directions link or by going to www.iam731.org to the LL 731 page.

Please be respectful and wait for the Executive Board meeting to finish its meeting before entering the meeting area.

Alliance for Retired Americans - Friday Alert, May 7

Friday, May 7, 2010

(Alliance for Retired Americans)

New Alliance Voting Record Focuses on Health Care, Medicare, and Economics
On Tuesday, the Alliance marked Older Americans Month by releasing its latest voting record, a new report detailing the 2009 votes of every U.S. Senator and Representative on key issues affecting current and future retirees. The document is available at http://bit.ly/9KfGCU. "Higher scores show a commitment to improve health care, strengthen Medicare, and put seniors ahead of drug and insurance companies," said Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling.

U.S. Economy Adds 290,000 Jobs

By Renae Merle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, May 8, 2010

The economic recovery that has bolstered manufacturing and retail recently might have finally reached the labor market, according to government data released Friday showing that employers hired workers last month at the quickest pace in four years.

The economy added 290,000 jobs, the Labor Department reported, far more than analysts had expected. The figure was embraced by economists who have lamented that the improvements in the economy, including in the housing and manufacturing sectors, had not been accompanied by encouraging news about the workforce. U.S. employers have added jobs for the past four months, according to the government survey.

New Hampshire Alliance for Retired Americans Wins Hearing Aid Help Bill

by Mike Hall, May 1, 2010

Charlie Balban, a retired Sheet Metal Workers (SMWIA) member and president of the New Hampshire Alliance for Retired Americans, suspects his hearing loss started during his apprentice days in a noisy shop.

Now, years later, he knows firsthand how expensive a good hearing aid can be—and how essential. Balban joined with the New Hampshire Alliance, which led the successful fight for state legislation that will help retirees and workers afford the devices.

This week, the New Hampshire Senate has passed a bill that ensures insurance companies provide $1,500 over five years to help people purchase hearing aids and related services. The bill passed the House earlier. “A good hearing aid can cost as much as $6,000,” says Balban.

Obama Pokes Fun at McCain's Maverick Claim

President Barack Obama nibbles on fruit during the White House Correspondents' Association fundraising dinner, at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)© 2010 The Associated Press

May 2, 2010, 12:55AM

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is poking fun at Sen. John McCain's claim he was not identified as a maverick.

Obama quipped Saturday night at the White House correspondent's dinner that "we know what happens in Arizona when you don't have an ID. ... Adios amigos."

McCain faces a tough re-election fight against a conservative opponent and has distanced himself from the maverick label he once embraced as a presidential candidate.

Despite Annual Shortfalls, Jacksonville City Budget Keeps Rising

As mayor seeks more cuts, some are asking: “Where is the money going?”

Posted: May 3, 2010 - 1:51am

By Matt Galnor

Every spring since Mayor John Peyton took office, the words “budget shortfall” ring from City Hall as Jacksonville leaders try to craft a spending plan for the next year.

Yet every fall, when the City Council signs off on the budget, it’s more than the previous year.

Since Mayor John Peyton took office in 2003, the city’s annual revenue has ballooned $265 million, records show.

But expenses, Peyton counters, have gone up even more — annual pension contributions have doubled, and health insurance costs have double-digit percentage increases about every year.

More Tough Decisions Ahead on City’s Budget

Submitted by Ron Littlepage on May 1, 2010 - 11:47pm

Mayor John Peyton says the City Council acted courageously last Tuesday when it approved increasing city fees, including doubling the garbage fee.

I’ve heard several other choice descriptions of what the council did, and courageous wasn’t among them.
But, like it or not, what the council did was necessary to begin getting the city’s financial house in order.
And it was just one step of many that need to be taken.

Peyton met with council members last Thursday and began laying out his budget plans for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

Florida Senator Wants Plans for Drilling Halted

Posted: April 30, 2010 - 11:58pm

By Steve Patterson

FERNANDINA BEACH - As sheens of spilled oil drifted in the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Friday that President Barack Obama should drop plans for expanded oil exploration off Florida's coast.

"I've said to the White House, 'Don't you dare think about your five-year plans [for offshore oil leases] ... We're just not going to let you,' " the Florida Democrat said hours after visiting Pensacola and checking preparations for a potential oil landfall.

Obama proposed expanded oil drilling in the Gulf and preparations for oil and gas exploration along the South Atlantic in March. The Interior Department has been collecting public comments on plans that would be implemented in five year-phases, holding a hearing in Jacksonville last month.

Several First Coast Judges Keep Their Posts

Posted: April 30, 2010 - 12:38pm

By Scott Butler

Several First Coast circuit and county judges have been re-elected with no opposition, supervisor of election offices announced Friday.

They’ll serve additional six-year terms as of January 2011.

The Duval County judges are John A. Moran, Russell L. Healey, Eleni Elia Derke and Ronald P. Higbee.
Two county judges in Clay — Timothy Collins and Richard Townsend — also retained their seats after having no opposition when qualifying ended Friday. St. Johns County Judge Charles J. Tinlin kept his judgeship.

Alliance for Retired Americans - Friday Alert, April 30, 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

(Alliance for Retired Americans)

Alliance Members Protest Across the Country as Fiscal Commission Meets in DC
On Tuesday in Washington, DC, the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform met for the first time. Erskine Bowles, former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton, and retired Sen. Alan Simpson (R-WY), co-chair the Commission. Click on http://bit.ly/bsw4qW for a list of the 18 members who make up the panel. The Commission could determine the future of Social Security; however, after Tuesday's opening session, it plans to hold most of its meetings outside of the public eye, behind closed doors. Activists have been contacting their elected officials, saying that the Commission's deliberations - and the future of Social Security - are too important to be kept secret. Alliance members sent more than 3,600 letters to their elected officials driving their point home this week.