by Mike Hall, May 17, 2011
The Obama administration announced yesterday that because Guatemala has not taken sufficient steps to effectively enforce its labor laws, as required under the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA), it is requesting a meeting of the Free Trade Commission.
The meeting would be the second step in the process outlined under the DR-CAFTA, to compel a nation to enforce its labor obligations under the agreement. In July, the U.S. requested consultations with Guatemala. But as U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk says:
We have identified a significant number of apparent failures by the government of Guatemala to enforce its labor laws. While Guatemala has taken some positive steps over the past several months, its actions and proposals have been insufficient to address what we view as systemic failures.
Kirk says Guatemala has failed to enforce labor laws regarding the right of association, the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively, and acceptable working conditions.
In 2008, the AFL-CIO and six Guatemalan unions filed a complaint with the Labor Department outlining the systemic failure of the government of Guatemala to enforce its own labor laws or to take reasonable action to prevent violence against trade unionists.
In 2009, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) named Guatemala the second most dangerous country for trade unionists. Colombia was first.
A 2009 report by the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center noted that in addition to the brutal repression of workers’ freedoms, Guatemala’s laws hinder workers from exercising their basic rights in many ways. Some laws criminalize legitimate union activity. Efforts to strengthen labor laws have been rolled back in recent years. Click here to read the report.
Last year, when the Obama administration took its first action against Guatemala, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said:
If consultations fail, however, we call upon our government to prosecute this case vigorously through the dispute settlement process.
If workers cannot exercise their rights under the law without fear of violence, labor law enforcement means little, and trade agreements cannot deliver the promised widely shared benefits.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wis. Voter ID Bill is Voter Suppression in Disguise
by Mike Hall, May 17, 2011
Not satisfied with attacking the collective bargaining rights of public employees, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Republican legislators have set their sights on voting rights with a so-called “Voter ID” bill that opponents call voter suppression.
The bill was passed by the state Assembly last week and the state Senate is expected to approve it today. Both chambers have a Republican majority. The legislation will make it much more difficult for many Wisconsinites to exercise their right to vote due to confusing and onerous obstacles, such as the most restrictive photo ID requirement in the country.
In addition, the bill’s estimated cost is some $7.5 million at the time when Republicans claim the state is in dire financial strait. Says state Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D) of La Crosse:
This bill will not prevent fraud or the recent election mismanagement errors that we have seen. As we continue to make drastic cuts to our schools, libraries, health programs and public safety services, the Voter Suppression Bill will force deeper cuts with no real benefit.
The Wisconsin League of Women Voters says the bill is an
expensive proposal that would create barriers to voting for thousands of citizens in an effort to “fix” a problem that does not exist.
Its backers claim the bill is designed to combat voter fraud. But as the Wausau Daily Herald writes in an editorial against the bill:
The case for a voter ID law would be different if there were reason to believe that widespread voter fraud were corrupting Wisconsin’s elections. There isn’t. There is no data to back up the notion that widespread vote fraud exists here.
There are large numbers of people who do not have the state issued photo I.D. the bill requires. According to a recent UW-Milwaukee study, those without state-issued photo ID who would need to obtain one to vote under the Voter ID Bill include:
• 23 percent of Wisconsinites over the age of 65.
• 17 percent of white men and women.
• 55 percent of African American males and 49percent of African American women.
• 46 percent of Hispanic men and 59percent of Hispanic women.
• 78 percent of African American males age 18-24 and 66 percent of African American women age 18-24.
The Interfaith Council of Greater Milwaukee says the photo ID requirement
would be an unnecessary impediment to many low-income people along with elderly or disabled people who live in their own homes. And the restrictions it places on the use of college IDs for voting would unfairly disenfranchise many students.
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt says the reason for this legislation is
political power and to suppress turnout among constituencies who may tend to vote Democratic—not to address a manufactured problem of voter fraud.
Not satisfied with attacking the collective bargaining rights of public employees, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Republican legislators have set their sights on voting rights with a so-called “Voter ID” bill that opponents call voter suppression.
The bill was passed by the state Assembly last week and the state Senate is expected to approve it today. Both chambers have a Republican majority. The legislation will make it much more difficult for many Wisconsinites to exercise their right to vote due to confusing and onerous obstacles, such as the most restrictive photo ID requirement in the country.
In addition, the bill’s estimated cost is some $7.5 million at the time when Republicans claim the state is in dire financial strait. Says state Rep. Jennifer Shilling (D) of La Crosse:
This bill will not prevent fraud or the recent election mismanagement errors that we have seen. As we continue to make drastic cuts to our schools, libraries, health programs and public safety services, the Voter Suppression Bill will force deeper cuts with no real benefit.
The Wisconsin League of Women Voters says the bill is an
expensive proposal that would create barriers to voting for thousands of citizens in an effort to “fix” a problem that does not exist.
Its backers claim the bill is designed to combat voter fraud. But as the Wausau Daily Herald writes in an editorial against the bill:
The case for a voter ID law would be different if there were reason to believe that widespread voter fraud were corrupting Wisconsin’s elections. There isn’t. There is no data to back up the notion that widespread vote fraud exists here.
There are large numbers of people who do not have the state issued photo I.D. the bill requires. According to a recent UW-Milwaukee study, those without state-issued photo ID who would need to obtain one to vote under the Voter ID Bill include:
• 23 percent of Wisconsinites over the age of 65.
• 17 percent of white men and women.
• 55 percent of African American males and 49percent of African American women.
• 46 percent of Hispanic men and 59percent of Hispanic women.
• 78 percent of African American males age 18-24 and 66 percent of African American women age 18-24.
The Interfaith Council of Greater Milwaukee says the photo ID requirement
would be an unnecessary impediment to many low-income people along with elderly or disabled people who live in their own homes. And the restrictions it places on the use of college IDs for voting would unfairly disenfranchise many students.
Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt says the reason for this legislation is
political power and to suppress turnout among constituencies who may tend to vote Democratic—not to address a manufactured problem of voter fraud.
White House Says No Trade Deals Until TAA Strengthened
by Mike Hall, May 17, 2011
Until Congress acts on renewing an enhanced Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA) for workers who have lost their jobs because of outsourcing, offshoring and unfair trade deals, the Obama administration will not submit three pending trade deals to Congress, the White House announced yesterday.
In February, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) refused to hold a vote on extending the TAA. Because of Boehner’s blockade, the TAA program that been strengthened in 2009, reverted back to its 2002 version that covers fewer workers and offers lower benefits and fewer opportunities for displaced workers.
Capitol Hill observers said Boehner and Republicans held the TAA extension hostage to force a commitment from the Obama administration to send three pending trade deals— Korea, Panama and Colombia—to Congress.
The AFL-CIO has long-backed TAA. In February, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka called it a “lifeline for working people trying to get the skills necessary to change careers after their lives have been turned upside down.”
But the AFL-CIO remains firmly opposed to the Colombia, Korea and Panama free trade agreements.
Until Congress acts on renewing an enhanced Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA) for workers who have lost their jobs because of outsourcing, offshoring and unfair trade deals, the Obama administration will not submit three pending trade deals to Congress, the White House announced yesterday.
In February, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) refused to hold a vote on extending the TAA. Because of Boehner’s blockade, the TAA program that been strengthened in 2009, reverted back to its 2002 version that covers fewer workers and offers lower benefits and fewer opportunities for displaced workers.
Capitol Hill observers said Boehner and Republicans held the TAA extension hostage to force a commitment from the Obama administration to send three pending trade deals— Korea, Panama and Colombia—to Congress.
The AFL-CIO has long-backed TAA. In February, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka called it a “lifeline for working people trying to get the skills necessary to change careers after their lives have been turned upside down.”
But the AFL-CIO remains firmly opposed to the Colombia, Korea and Panama free trade agreements.
Fact and Fiction in the Boeing Complaint
Tue. May 17, 2011
Right-wing lawmakers and conservative commentators continue to promote the notion that the Boeing Company and certain southern states should not be required to observe federal labor law, and that the federal agency charged with enforcing that law should be defunded and dismantled.
What began as a straightforward and well-documented case of illegal retaliation by Boeing against its workforce has ballooned into an anti-government crusade by extremists who are trying to make the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) the next victim in the GOP’s nationwide campaign against collective bargaining rights.
“Workers have a constitutional right to free speech and freedom of association that does not vanish at the South Carolina state line, or any other state where officials are so eager to promote their anti-union views,” said IAM General Vice President Rich Michalski. “The NLRB has both the right and the responsibility to enforce federal labor law equally in all 50 states.”
Among the distortions being promoted is that the NLRB’s complaint is an attack on states with right-to-work laws. This is nonsense. The Board’s complaint has nothing to do with such laws. It seeks to remedy Boeing’s retaliation against its workers in Washington by bringing their work back to Washington. The violation of law would be the same wherever Boeing had moved that work. It has no effect on South Carolina’s or any other states’ right-to-work law whatsoever.
Another claim cited by conservative commentators is that the Federal government is trying to tell a company where to put its work. This is false. The National Labor Relations Act does not restrict the placement of work unless a company does so for an illegal reason. And no matter how much Boeing’s allies in this case may wish it were not so, retaliating against workers for engaging in lawful concerted activity is illegal.
Voting Begins for Flight Attendants at United Airlines
Tue. May 17, 2011
The National Mediation Board (NMB) is mailing voting instructions this week to more than 24,000 United, Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants, who will have until June 29 to choose the union that can best produce a single contract for the combined group. Flight Attendants can vote by phone by dialing 1-877-NMB-VOTE or online at www.nmb.gov after receiving their voting instructions.
The IAM currently represents approximately 9,400 Flight Attendants at Continental, where they recently negotiated a contract that secured comprehensive work rules, a defined benefit pension and a range of health care choices, in addition to the highest wages in the industry. The IAM also represents the Flight Attendants of Continental Micronesia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental.
By contrast, the over 15,000 Flight Attendants at United Airlines, who are represented by another union, are still working under a restrictive contract with a top pay rate that is $13,035.60 less than the rate the IAM negotiated for Continental Flight Attendants.
"Greater resources, bargaining experience and higher levels of democracy and transparency are just some of the reasons why many Flight Attendants at United Airlines are anxious to secure IAM representation, and why Continental and Continental Micronesia Flight Attendants want to preserve what they have," said General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr.
For the latest election information, visit www.iamnow.org.
‘Going Back on the Deal’
Tue. May 17, 2011
An op-ed published in the New York Times this week reveals GOP attempts to double-cross American voters – particularly, the unemployed.
“Last year, Republicans refused to renew unemployment benefits unless the high-end Bush-era tax cuts were preserved,” reads the article. “After the White House agreed to keep the tax cuts through 2012, they agreed to extend federal jobless benefits through 2011. Now, they want to renege.”
The editorial cites a bill, recently passed by the House Ways and Means Committee, giving states permission to use federal unemployment benefit funds for other purposes, including tax cuts for businesses.
“This is a very bad idea at a time when the national jobless rate is 9 percent, and higher than that in 22 states,” reads the editorial. “The $31 billion in yet to be paid federal benefits is desperately needed.
“Republicans, however, aren’t looking to restore the funds to long-term solvency; they want to cut taxes no matter what the cost. And their business constituents — who have resisted paying unemployment taxes in good times as well as bad — don’t want to pay more taxes into the system, even after the economy has recovered. There are better ways to help the states and bolster business during tough times. Reducing unemployment benefits is the wrong choice.”
The House bill would also require an unemployed person have at least a high school diploma or GED in order to receive benefits. The bill now heads to the House floor for a full vote.
email share print rate: Tags: UCubed, unemployed, jobs
Bill Targets ‘Rogue Websites’ that Kill Jobs, Steal Wages
by Mike Hall, May 16, 2011
The Internet is a major source for intellectual property theft and a major marketplace for counterfeit goods. But new legislation would crack down on “rogue websites” that offer anything from pirated copies of Hollywood blockbusters and popular music to counterfeit brand-name prescription drugs and airplane parts.
The bipartisan PROTECT IP Act [Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act] would allow authorities to move more quickly to shut down the sites, impose tougher penalties and sanctions and create stronger intellectual property rights. Says AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:
The economic well-being of workers in the United States—jobs, income, and benefits—turns more and more on our protecting the creativity and innovation that yield world-class entertainment, cutting-edge and sustainable manufacturing and construction, and disease-ending pharmaceuticals. In a tough economic time, the PROTECT IP Act will help to protect U.S. workers and consumers against digital thieves and counterfeit scammers.
The bill was introduced by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Conn.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Chuck Grassley (D-Iowa). Says Grassley:
The online distribution and sale of pirated content and counterfeit goods imposes a huge cost on the American economy in terms of lost jobs, lost sales, lost innovation and lost income. Piracy and counterfeiting can also present serious health and safety problems for consumers. This legislation will add another tool to the toolbox for going after these criminals and protecting the American public.
Nine of the 23 unions in the AFL-CIO Department of Professional Employees (DPE) represent 400,000 creative professionals and other workers in the arts, entertainment, and media industries. Those workers, says DPE President Paul Almeida, are
actors, stage employees and technicians, musicians, writers, editors, and many others. Digital theft costs the arts, entertainment, and media industries billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs. For these skilled professionals, online infringement is wage theft.
Click here for more information.
‘DREAMERS’ Keep It Alive
by Mike Hall, May 16, 2011
Last week the DREAM Act—which would give conditional legal status and eventual citizenship to undocumented students who meet a series of stringent criteria—was reintroduced in Congress.
Click here to read Dissent Magazine’s Daniel Altschuler’s detailed look at how young “DREAMERS” built a movement that has played a key role in keeping the DREAM alive since the bill was first introduced in 2002.
Last week the DREAM Act—which would give conditional legal status and eventual citizenship to undocumented students who meet a series of stringent criteria—was reintroduced in Congress.
Click here to read Dissent Magazine’s Daniel Altschuler’s detailed look at how young “DREAMERS” built a movement that has played a key role in keeping the DREAM alive since the bill was first introduced in 2002.
IAM Ratifies Pact with Army Fleet Support—and More Bargaining News
by Belinda Boyce, May 16, 2011
The Machinists (IAM) approved a new contract with Army Fleet Support, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
IAM, Army Fleet Support: Members of Machinists (IAM) Local 2003 at Ft. Rucker, Ala., ratified a new three-year contract with Army Fleet Support earlier this month. The 3,800 IAM members are trainers, test pilots and mechanics at the Army’s largest helicopter base.
WORK STOPPAGES & LEGAL ACTIONS
Multiple, American Red Cross: A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) administrative law judge ruled that the American Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region and mid-Michigan Chapter violated labor law in the ongoing dispute with Teamsters (IBT) Local 580 and Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 459. The Red Cross has more than 30 expired collective bargaining agreements across the country and is facing similar unfair labor practice charges in other regions.
BCTGM, Roquette America: Workers locked out more than six months ago by Roquette America in Keokuk, Iowa, participated in a “Monster Picket,” last Friday the 13th. Last September, the 237 members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 48G rejected a “last and final” offer proposed by the company after only two weeks of bargaining.
NEGOTIATIONS
Multiple, State of Connecticut: Unions representing 45,000 Connecticut state workers have reached a tentative four-year deal that guarantees no layoffs (those announced last week will be rescinded) while saving the state $1.6 billion. The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), comprised of the 15 unions that represent state workers, and the Gov. Daniel P. Malloy (D) administration agreed to not publicize details of the deal until members have been briefed.
TWU, American Airlines: Negotiators for the Transport Workers (TWU) rejected an offer from American Airlines, saying the proposal was worse than one rejected by the mechanics and store clerks bargaining units last summer. TWU said its request to be released from mediation was denied by the federal mediator.
AFA-CWA, US Airways: The Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) and US Airways will begin federal mediation this week, after five years of negotiations have failed to result in a deal. AFA-CWA hopes the involvement of a federal mediator will improve the pace of bargaining.
CWA, Cincinnati Bell Inc.: Communications Workers of America (CWA) locals 4400 and 4401 in Ohio have reached a tentative 39-month agreement with Cincinnati Bell Inc. The deal covers 1,000 workers and includes a commitment by the company to keep jobs in Cincinnati.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only. As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.
The Machinists (IAM) approved a new contract with Army Fleet Support, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
IAM, Army Fleet Support: Members of Machinists (IAM) Local 2003 at Ft. Rucker, Ala., ratified a new three-year contract with Army Fleet Support earlier this month. The 3,800 IAM members are trainers, test pilots and mechanics at the Army’s largest helicopter base.
WORK STOPPAGES & LEGAL ACTIONS
Multiple, American Red Cross: A National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) administrative law judge ruled that the American Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region and mid-Michigan Chapter violated labor law in the ongoing dispute with Teamsters (IBT) Local 580 and Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 459. The Red Cross has more than 30 expired collective bargaining agreements across the country and is facing similar unfair labor practice charges in other regions.
BCTGM, Roquette America: Workers locked out more than six months ago by Roquette America in Keokuk, Iowa, participated in a “Monster Picket,” last Friday the 13th. Last September, the 237 members of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 48G rejected a “last and final” offer proposed by the company after only two weeks of bargaining.
NEGOTIATIONS
Multiple, State of Connecticut: Unions representing 45,000 Connecticut state workers have reached a tentative four-year deal that guarantees no layoffs (those announced last week will be rescinded) while saving the state $1.6 billion. The State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC), comprised of the 15 unions that represent state workers, and the Gov. Daniel P. Malloy (D) administration agreed to not publicize details of the deal until members have been briefed.
TWU, American Airlines: Negotiators for the Transport Workers (TWU) rejected an offer from American Airlines, saying the proposal was worse than one rejected by the mechanics and store clerks bargaining units last summer. TWU said its request to be released from mediation was denied by the federal mediator.
AFA-CWA, US Airways: The Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) and US Airways will begin federal mediation this week, after five years of negotiations have failed to result in a deal. AFA-CWA hopes the involvement of a federal mediator will improve the pace of bargaining.
CWA, Cincinnati Bell Inc.: Communications Workers of America (CWA) locals 4400 and 4401 in Ohio have reached a tentative 39-month agreement with Cincinnati Bell Inc. The deal covers 1,000 workers and includes a commitment by the company to keep jobs in Cincinnati.
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for your information only. As it is compiled from published news reports, not from individual unions, we cannot vouch for either its completeness or accuracy; readers who desire further information should directly contact the union involved.
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