Work Struggles

When billionaire Meg Whitman, who has never held any political office and seldom even bothers to vote, decided to use her personal fortune to run for California’s highest office, the California Nurses Association challenged her with political satire.

Lead image:  Lead image caption:  When billionaire Meg Whitman, who has never held any political office, decided to use her personal fortune to run for California’s highest office, the California Nurses Association dispatched "Queen Meg" to mock her enormous wealth and destructive agenda. Photo: CNA.

A pair of contentious resolutions marked the Communications Workers convention in the capital this week. One highlighted widespread discontent among local leaders and activists over fragmented bargaining and concessions in telecommunications bargaining last year, and the other shifted conventions from every year to every two, reflecting the union’s financial troubles.

LabourStart headline - Source: Bloomberg

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LabourStart headline - Source: Maquila Solidarity Network

Byline:  Mark Brenner

After nearly two years of warfare and legal wrangling, the hotel workers (UNITE HERE) and service workers (SEIU) announced on Monday an end to their bitter dispute. The deal promises to end hostilities that broke into the open when former UNITE HERE President Bruce Raynor organized a faction within the union to split from UNITE HERE and join SEIU.

Byline:  Jane Slaughter

GM stamping plant workers in Indianapolis have told the company they won’t cut their wages in half, even when threatened with a shutdown. A prospective buyer of the 650-worker factory has indicated he wants United Auto Workers members to drop from $29 an hour to $14.65.

LabourStart headline - Source: ICEM

LabourStart headline - Source: Maquila Solidarity Network

LabourStart headline - Source: Talking Union

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LabourStart headline - Source: Reuters

The ITUC strongly protest against the Ministerial Order, Issue 22 244, of the Iraqi Government. This Order clearly violates trade union rights.

According to the information received by the ITUC, the Ministerial Order, issued by the Minister of Electricity, prohibits all trade union activities in the electricity sector and orders the ministry, in coordination with the police, to close all trade union offices and take control of the trade unions assets, properties, documents, furniture and computers. It also gives to the police the authority to arrest any trade unionist who tries to protest against the Ministerial Order, under the terrorism act of 2005.

“This is totally unacceptable”, said Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary. “This is nothing else but a case of intimidation of free, independent and democratic trade unions. In a letter to the Iraqi Government, the ITUC urges Prime Minister Mr. Nori Al-Maliki to take without delay all necessary measures to stop this unjust government action.

"The Iraqis authorities must take urgent and effective measures to guarantee the freedom of association in the electricity sector," insisted ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow. Iraq, as a member of the ILO, is bound by international treaties, including ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association.

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on 32 2 224 02 04 or + 32 476 62 10 18 Photo: Pierre J.

Byline:  Mischa Gaus

Wal-Mart outmaneuvered union and community forces in Chicago and won approval for a second store. Some unions claimed victory, saying a wage agreement was reached. The company denies it.

Lead image:  Lead image caption:  Wal-Mart outmaneuvered union and community forces in Chicago to win city council approval for the discount chain’s second store in the city. Some unions claimed victory, saying a wage agreement was reached, which the company denies. Photo: Ira and Andrea.

LabourStart headline - Source: The Morning Herald

LabourStart headline - Source: IANS

Byline:  by Catherine-Mercedes Judge

Hundreds of hotel and restaurant employees and supporters were arrested around the country Thursday in coordinated civil disobedience against the Hyatt Corporation.

Lead image:  Lead image caption:  Hundreds of hotel and restaurant employees and supporters were arrested around the country Thursday in coordinated civil disobedience against the Hyatt Corporation. Photo: Toussaint Losier.

LabourStart headline - Source: Moscow News

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