Workers' Stories Put Face on Victims of Wall Street Greed

by Mike Hall, Mar 15, 2010

One worker says she lost four jobs during the past seven years. Another saw his unemployment insurance (UI) benefits evaporate due to Sen. Jim Bunning’s (R-Ky.) callous filibuster of an UI extension last month.

Those are just two of the personal stories jobless workers and others have shared at the AFL-CIO’s Good Jobs Now site. Our interactive site is part of the AFL-CIO’s fight for good jobs that today kicked off two weeks of action across the country with rallies and demonstrations at branches of the Big Six Wall Street banks—Bank of America, Chase, Citigroup, Wachovia-Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

UAW Reaches Tentative Agreement on NUMMI Closing

by James Parks, Mar 15, 2010

The UAW today announced it has reached a tentative agreement on the planned closing of Toyota’s New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) plant in Fremont, Calif. The agreement covers some 4,500 members of UAW Local 2244.

The tentative agreement will be presented to members of the local in the coming days. Details are being withheld pending a ratification vote by the membership. Voting dates have not yet been scheduled.

Momentum Building for Action on China Currency Manipulation

by James Parks, Mar 15, 2010

The momentum is building for the United States to take strong action to counteract manipulation of its currency by China’s government.

More than 130 members of Congress signed on to a letter from Reps. Mike Michaud (D-Maine) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) delivered today that urges Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to take strong action up to and including countervailing duties (CVD) or tariffs because of currency manipulation.

Daylight Savings Time

It's that time again, to set the clocks ahead and lose an hour's sleep. This takes place at 2:00am Sunday morning. So, set the clocks ahead before you go to bed Saturday night.

This is a good time to change the batteries in the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.

Denver Airport Embraces Paperless Passes

DENVER March 12 (UPI) -- A Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman said a new program at Denver International Airport allows passengers to use paperless boarding passes.

TSA spokeswoman Carrie Harmon said the program implemented by TSA and United Airlines officials at the Denver airport allows passengers to board using boarding passes downloaded to their mobile phones, The Denver Post reported Friday.

US Airways Fined Over Pricing on Web Site

By Linda Loyd Posted on Mon, Mar. 8, 2010
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

US Airways Group Inc. was fined $40,000 today by the U.S. Department of Transportation for not disclosing full ticket prices on its Web site.
The Transportation Department said it imposed the civil fine because US Airways violated rules that require airline advertisements to disclose the full price on the first Internet screen that provides a fare quote.

The department's Aviation Enforcement Office said that "for a short period of time," when consumers searched US Airways' Web site for one-way flights, the Tempe, Ariz., carrier provided fares that did not include additional taxes and fees, or any notice that the additional charges would be added later in the transaction.

Southwest Challenges US Airways with PHL-BOS Flights

By Joe Brancatelli Thursday, March 11, 2010

Southwest Airlines got its new terminal at Philadelphia International Airport late last month, and the 800-pound gorilla of low-fare airlines promptly renewed its challenge to US Airways, Philadelphia’s incumbent legacy carrier. Starting June 27, Southwest will fly five times a day between Philadelphia and Boston Logan, one of US Airways’ most profitable monopoly routes. According to government figures, US Airways’ average fare on PHL-BOS has been $345, by far the highest in the country for flights between 251 and 300 miles. Southwest’s introductory fare: $59 one-way.

FAA Urges $787,500 in Fines for American Airlines

March 12, 2010 5:28 p.m. EST

Washington (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday proposed $787,500 in fines against American Airlines for maintenance violations.

The airline said it would review the proposed penalties and meet with the FAA to discuss them.

"American Airlines is very proud of our safety record and our employees' commitment to safety every day," the company said in a statement issued Friday. "Safety is fundamental to the American Airlines culture and to our success."

'I Am Not Your ATM'

by Laura Clawson, Mar 12, 2010

Working people have plenty to be angry with Wall Street about. A $700 billion bailout. Toxic assets and loan guarantees to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. A financial crisis and credit crunch. Billions of dollars in six- and seven-figure bonuses to the Wall Street executives who got us into this mess.

Unemployment reaching 10 percent. A mortgage crisis extending far beyond subprime loans. Abusive credit and debit card fees. More than five job-seekers for every one job.

Strike Is Set After Talks Fail at British Airways

By NICOLA CLARK
Published: March 12, 2010

British Airways cabin crew are preparing to walk off the job for seven days later this month after talks with management broke down without an agreement, a trade union that represents the carrier’s 13,500 flight attendants said Friday.

The union, Unite, said members agreed Thursday to stage an initial three-day strike beginning March 20, followed by a further four-day action from March 27.