Red Cross Workers Strike over Stalled Talks, Blood Safety Concerns

by Mike Hall, Jun 2, 2010

More than 1,000 Red Cross workers in seven cities launched a three-day unfair labor practice strike against the American Red Cross this morning. Contract negotiations between the Red Cross and the workers—members of several unions—have been stalled, in some cases, for more than a year.

One of the key issues, the unions say, is blood drive staffing practices that workers believe are key to protecting donor and blood safety. Workers say the Red Cross is putting donors and workers at risk by understaffing blood drives, replacing nurses with unlicensed supervisors, forcing employees to work unrealistic schedules and turning blood collection into an assembly line/fast-food process

Foreclosure and Bankruptcy in Favor of the Middleclass

Jun 01,2010

Amendment #534 authorizes bankruptcy courts to modify the terms of mortgages made on homeowners’ primary residences, a practice which is barred by current law. The amendment would permit bankruptcy courts to restructure the debt on home mortgages by reducing the principal owed, extending repayment periods, reducing interest rates, and prohibiting, reducing, or delaying future interest rate increases. Bankruptcy law currently permits such restructuring only for vacation homes, family farms, and yachts. Under this legislation, eligibility is limited to homeowners with mortgages originated before the enactment of the amendment who have received notice that a foreclosure may be commenced. The legislation restricts the situations in which bankruptcy judges can reduce – or “cramdown” – the principal owed.

Lincoln Parked on Wall Street, Working Families Drive Halter Bid

by Mike Hall, Jun 1, 2010

One week from today, Arkansas voters will have a choice between two-term incumbent Sen. Blanche Lincoln and her long record of corporate coziness or Lt. Gov. Bill Halter and his progressive agenda based on the interests of working families.

The June 8 U.S. Senate Democratic primary run-off is firing up working families and union voters across the state. These are the same voters who mobilized and turned what was supposed to a Lincoln slam-dunk in the Senate primary to a near dead heat race and ultimate run-off election.

Letter Carriers Deliver Another Record Food Drive: 77.1 Million Pounds

by Mike Hall, Jun 1, 2010

The nation’s postal customers responded with extraordinary generosity this year, donating a record 77.1 million pounds of food in the Letter Carriers’ 18th annual “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive. This year’s results topped last year’s record donation of 73.4 million pounds.

Members of the Letter Carriers (NALC) on May 8 picked up the donations left at mailboxes in more than 10,000 communities. The food was delivered to local food banks, pantries and shelters to help needy families in all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions.

Since 1993, the NALC food drive has collected more than 1 billion pounds of food—1,059,800 pounds—to help feed hungry families.

CBTU Delegates Support IAM-Delta Campaign

Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr. presents CBTU President Bill Lucy (center) and actor and political activist Danny Glover (left) with IAM ‘Union Strong’ shirts during the 39th International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU).

Tue. June 01, 2010

In an unmistakable display of solidarity with Machinists fighting to represent more than 30,000 workers at Delta Airlines, nearly 1,000 delegates at the 39th International Convention of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) poured into Detroit’s Wayne County International airport wearing the IAM campaign’s signature blue shirts.

“We are here to say ‘thank you’ for the support you’ve given us over the past year and to ask you again to stand with us as this campaign moves into high gear,” said Transportation GVP Robert Roach, Jr., who addressed the convention. “This campaign is not only for the workers at Delta, but for the very future of labor unions in the airline industry.”

The convention included workshops, panel discussions and speakers who urged delegates to demand solutions to the jobs crisis from candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.

Airline Reward Programs Pay Off Less Frequently

By JOE SHARKEY
Published: May 31, 2010

FOR participants in frequent-flier programs, more miles are chasing fewer seats, and the problem is likely to get worse.

In April, the five so-called legacy carriers (Delta, United, American, Continental and US Airways) averaged domestic load factors of 85 percent, which measures how many seats on airplanes are occupied by paying customers.

Southwest Airlines reported a load factor of 78.8 percent in April. That brought the overall average down a bit for the top six carriers. But no matter how you do the math and as every frequent flier knows, an empty seat is as rare a sight as a free meal on most domestic flights.

Tens of Thousands Protest Arizona’s Immigrant Law

by James Parks, May 29, 2010

Tens of thousands of people of conscience from across the nation converged on the Arizona state capitol today in Phoenix for a national day of action against that state’s infamous anti-immigrant law, also known as S.B. 1070.

Chanting “Stop Racism in Arizona,” protestors marched five miles in the hot desert sun to the capitol in one of the largest demonstrations yet against this law. S.B. 1070 allows police to stop and question anyone they have “reasonable suspicion” of being undocumented. The law does not define “reasonable suspicion,” a fact that many opponents say is carte blanche for racial profiling.

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.