Working Life

   On the face of it, it’s a good thing when the labor movement leverages the trillions of dollars–yes, that’s TRILLIONS–that sit in pension funds. It’s been a topic of debate for a long time. The question is: what do we get? Here is the example, via The Wall Street Journal: New York Gov. Andrew […]

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   Yesterday, I wrote about an appalling but typical example of how bi-partisan "debate" is really an argument taking place on one side, in this case King Cuomo’s immoral decision to attack workers’ pensions by regurgitating Republican talking points that the economic crisis we face is the fault of the middle-class, workers, unions, and a […]

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   Applause for this move: As newly elected Republican state legislatures aggressively push a slew of anti-union measures, the International Association of Fire Fighters is freezing its federal political spending and shifting all resources toward its beleaguered state and local colleagues. “With the survival of our union and the ability to preserve and protect the […]

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   As I go off to Opening Day–at least there is something pleasurable to dive into–a judge stands firm: A Wisconsin judge ruled Thursday the state’s divisive new collective bargaining law was not in effect — a clear warning to Republican Gov. Scott Walkers’ administration that it risks sanctions should it continue with its preparations […]

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   I don’t write this to convince the people who are intentionally lying or have some ideological end-game here (as in, destroy unions and the middle class). I write this for those people who are still living on the planet Earth of reality. So, here it is: Wisconsin has a great, financially-sound public pension system. […]

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  I think the hardest part of being immersed in a battle–even one that is energizing and inspiring–is to see where we stand in the overall war (with apologies to those who don’t like the military imagery). No doubt, the people in Wisconsin–and hundreds of thousands of supporters nationwide–have given the anti-union forces something to […]

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   The tide is with us: As labor battles erupt in state capitals around the nation, a majority of Americans say they oppose efforts to weaken the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions and are also against cutting the pay or benefits of public workers to reduce state budget deficits, according to the latest […]

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Yesterday, hundreds of activists from labor and the community poured into the streets outside FOX NEWS in Manhattan. Spearheaded by Job Party, chants from "Unions, Yes, Walker, No" to "FOX NEWS Lies" to "Workers Rights Are Human Rights" bounced off the Fox News Building. Ed Schultz stuck his head out the window from down the […]

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   The revolt is spreading to other states. And here is one reason we must fight: Wal-Mart’s earnings rose sharply.    Indiana : On Monday, thousands of steelworkers, autoworkers and other labor activists surrounded the Indiana state capitol to protest a bill before the legislature to dramatically weaken the clout of private-sector unions.   Ohio […]

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   I got up this morning thinking I’d philosophize–then, I drank coffee and thought, nah, I like causing trouble a whole lot more. If only activists had that Internet switch–turn it off and get people into the streets? Ok, no, we’re not for that–but if you’re inclined to hit the streets…it’s happening everywhere…and there is […]

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