IAM Signs Historic Agreement with Japanese Aviation Federation

From left, Hiroya Yamaguchi, Chairman of the Japan Federation of Aviation Workers’ Unions (KOHKUREN) and IAM Transportation General Vice President Robert Roach, Jr. sign a historic alliance agreement at KOHKUREN’s National Convention in Japan.

The IAM is the first North American transportation union to enter into an alliance agreement with the Japan Federation of Aviation Workers' Unions (KOHKUREN), the largest federation of air transport workers in Japan. Both the IAM and KOHKUREN represent workers at the same airlines, including Northwest/Delta, United, Continental and others.

AFL-CIO Unions Rally for TSO Workers

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the AFL-CIO are calling for an end to the Bush-era policy that has been used to prevent lawful collective bargaining rights for 40,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSO) who work for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).

National Pension Fund Contribution Rate Table

The following table lists the acceptable contribution rates and monthly benefit values for years of Future Service Credit for National Pension Plan Service for covered employees with 600 Hours of service in 1998 or later and a Pension Effective Date on or after January 1 of 1999, and whose contributing employers initial contribution date is prior to April, of 2003.

How To Apply For Pension Benefits From the National Pension Plan

We have to receive your application before your pension effective date. In addition, Federal law requires that we send important information about your pension no more than 180 days before your Intended Retirement Date.

The application will be sent to you in about 1 week and will contain estimates of your pension with various optional forms of payment.

Your pension effective date is the first of any month following the later of your last day worked or receipt of your completed application. The following chart will help in making your pension application request:

Share Your Job Crisis Story, Connect with Activists at Our New Good Jobs Now! Site

by Mike Hall, Feb 23, 2010

Good Jobs Now!, the AFL-CIO’s new interactive website, gives workers, people who have lost their jobs and activists a chance to take action, share their stories, find resources and, most importantly, be part of a grassroots movement to help the nation climb out of its 10-million jobs hole created by the recession.

Just launched this morning, Good Jobs Now’s! first featured action is a petition calling on Whirlpool Corp., to reverse its decision to close its Evansville, Ind., plant and send work to Mexico, eliminating 1,100 good jobs.

Senate's 'First Step' Jobs Bill Moves to Vote

by Mike Hall, Feb 23, 2010

The U.S. Senate cleared the way last night for a vote this week on a jobs bill that must be just the first step in closing the nation’s staggering 10 million jobs deficit created by years of Wall Street recklessness and failed Bush-era economic policies.

By a 62-30 vote, the Senate broke a filibuster against the bill. Five Republicans voted to end the filibuster and one Democrat, Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), voted against the cloture motion.

Shuler: Youths, Unions Together Can Change the Nation

by James Parks, Feb 23, 2010

Saying today’s young workers are the “guinea pigs of the new normal economy,” AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler called for a new national economic strategy that addresses the real needs of young people in the workforce and creates good jobs that provide the security and prosperity previous generations enjoyed.

Speaking at the national conference of United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), one of the union movement’s staunchest allies, this past weekend in Knoxville, Tenn., Shuler said the union movement must reach out to its younger members and young workers in general. She said the AFL-CIO is convening a national youth summit in June 2010 to explore ways younger workers can become even more involved in helping build the kind of country we all want to live in.

Time Is Now For TSO Bargaining Rights

Hundreds of workers braved the cold Washington, D.C., weather today to send a message to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Give transportation security officers (TSOs) who protect the flying public the opportunity to protect themselves with the right to bargain a union contract.

"Chanting Union Rights for TSOs," members of dozens of unions rallied at AFL-CIO headquarters this morning. Speaking within earshot of the White House, AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker said:

Scott Brown Helps Democrats Advance 'JOBS' Bill

AP – Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., talks to reporters after he voted for cloture on the Jobs Bill on Capitol …

By ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press Writer Andrew Taylor, Associated Press Writer – Mon Feb 22, 6:30 pm ET

WASHINGTON – A Democratic "jobs" bill has advanced past a GOP filibuster in the Senate, helped along by the vote of the chambers newest Republican. Scott Brown of Massachusetts was joined by several other Republicans to help Democrats defeat a filibuster orchestrated by GOP leaders by a 62-30 tally. The tally sets up a vote on Wednesday to actually pass the measure.

Activists Step Up Health Care Fight

By Ambreen Ali

Activists are getting ready for the final showdown on health care.

As Democrats renew their push on health care this week, advocacy groups on both sides have stepped up their efforts to energize their bases and influence lawmakers.

President Obama's health care plan — released ahead of Thursday's bipartisan health summit — resembles the Senate bill (HR 3590) with a few concessions that could get House Democrats to pass the overhaul with a simple majority.