Sep 17 2009
Original article, subheaded AFL-CIO names new president, by Jerry White via World Socialist Web Site:
On Wednesday, John Sweeney, who has led the AFL-CIO since 1995, stepped down and was succeeded by his long-time lieutenant, Richard Trumka, who ran unopposed and was elected by delegates at the AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh.
Aug 26 2009
Today there will be a lot of looking back at the life of Senator Kennedy. There is a lot to look back upon there can be no doubt. Sen. Kennedy was a human, just like all of us, he had his faults, and he had his high points. What made him special is the time he put in for public service. It was the true idea of Noblesse Oblige. He came from power and wealth. He could have chosen a path where all he did was increase that wealth and live a fat, happy life. Instead he chose public service. He not only chose to serve but put as his guiding principal the idea someone had to stand up for the little man, the working folks of this nation who did not have the same benefits of wealth and family power.
“Originally posted at Squarestate.net“
Aug 25 2009
Orignal article, written by the workers of Zanon-Sindicato Ceramistas in Neuquén, Argentina and subtitled “After 9 years of struggle we have achieved the definitive expropriation of our factory.” Via In Defence of Marxism.
After 9 years of struggle we have achieved the definitive expropriation of our factory.
The path taken by the workers at Zanon would not have been possible without previously seizing our union representation from the trade union bureaucracy.
Aug 23 2009
Original article, by ANRED, via In Defence of Marxism:
It would seem that the force of the wind, which was blowing at more than 60 km/hr in the Neuquén capital, was an omen of what was to come. 26 deputies supported the definitive expropriation and this sealed the declaration that the factory was of public interest and the transfer of Cerámica Zanon to the Fasinpat cooperative.
Aug 22 2009
We are beginning to see a labor/netroots alliance. Jane Hamsher is announcing that Richard Trumka, who likely will be leader of the AFL-CIO and is now Secretary-Treasurer, will be on firedoglake on Monday to talk with us.
Along with Howard Dean, Trumka is one of the only leading figures to defy Rahm Emanuel’s decree that “f&!ing liberals” leave Blue Dogs and ConservaDems alone on health care.snip
We’re excited to have Richard Trumka on FDL on Monday at 4pm ET/1pm PT to discuss health care reform.
Richard Trumka of AFL-CIO On FDL To Talk Health Care, Monday August 24 at 4pm ET
This week, Trumka said no support for those who vote against public option.
More, after the fold
Jul 02 2009
Original article, by Steve Kelly,UNITE London Construction Branch member, via Socialist Appeal (UK):
On Monday 29th June the workers at Lindsey agreed to return to work with heads held high.It was a magnificent result and all those involved deserve a great round of applause. The dispute began when 51 scaffolders were sacked at Lindsey and refused employment with another contractor on the site. They were regarded as troublemakers by management.The rest of the workers immediately downed tools in support of them.
Jun 30 2009
Original article, by Keith Jones, via World Socialist Web Site:
Toronto’s 24,000 city workers, now in their second week of strike action, have been the target of a concerted, venomous attack by Toronto’s corporate media.
When workers stand together, the oligarchy shudders.
Day after day, the Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Sun, and Star have churned out columns and editorials castigating the modestly paid inside and outside workers for “enjoy[ing] perks that others can only dream of”-perks like the “notorious” paid sick days that they “selfishly” refuse to give up.
Paid sick days are perks that others can only dream of? C’mon. If the writers at the papers don’t get paid sick leave, then they should be on strike, too!
Jun 25 2009
Original article, subtitled Lindsey dispute is a fight for us all. Oil bosses sack more than 600 workers for organising action. Thousands walk out of construction sites in support, via Socialist Worker (UK):
Thousands of construction workers have walked out of work and taken illegal unofficial strike action. The wildcat strikes follow the Total oil multinational’s sacking of over 600 workers at the Lindsey refinery site in Lincolnshire.
Jun 23 2009
Welcome to the 13th installment of “Considered Forthwith.” Sorry I missed getting this up here over the weekend.
This weekly series looks at the various committees in the House and the Senate. Committees are the workshops of our democracy. This is where bills are considered, revised, and occasionally advance for consideration by the House and Senate. Most committees also have the authority to exercise oversight of related executive branch agencies.
First, I want to note the committee monitoring project that Meteor Blades has announced over on the GOS. I hope to take part and invite anyone else who is participating to see my list of links at the end of this diary for more information about specific committees.
This week, I will look at the House Education and Labor Committee, yet another committee with jurisdiction over health care reform. The big news: we have a public option sighting!
Jun 19 2009
In Michigan, we have an internet job/resume bank. As one of the qualifying conditions for unemployment compensation, laid-off people are required to post their resume in the system. We currently have 1 million resumes on file and 20,000 jobs.
US fast-tracks hi-tech trade with India; GE India first beneficiary
WASHINGTON: The United States has announced a new programme to fast-track high-technology trade with India from which General Electric’s India division will be the first Indian company to benefit.
“This is an important step in enabling a more rapid and efficient flow of sensitive technology between India and the United States,” US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke announced at the US-India Business Council’s 34th Anniversary “Synergies Summit” Wednesday. –snip–
We’re looking forward to reciprocal actions from our partner,” Locke said encouraging other Indian firms also to take advantage of the programme. –snip–
The only countries eligible for the programme to date are India and China, which was approved in late April.
Last year, US companies exported $18 billion worth of goods to India, and India shipped the United States $25 billion worth of goods, Locke said. –snip–
With Democrats like Obama, corporations don’t need the Republicans in the White House.
Jun 15 2009
Original article, titled Statement:”A long time in politics” – Labour after the elections, via Socialist Appeal (UK):
“A week is a long time in politics.” Harold Wilson
The European election results were published last Monday, following on from the local election results of a few days earlier. They showed Labour behind not just the Tories, but even behind UKIP, a lunatic fringe party, on just 15% of the vote. For the first time since 1918, Labour had been beaten by the Tories in Wales. Labour was smashed in its other heartlands, where working class voters just sat at home in disgust, and was completely marginalised elsewhere in the country. Labour came 5th in the South East with just 8.2% of the vote. In Cornwall they came 6th behind the Cornish Nationalist Party, whom presumably even the local folk see as a lost cause.
Jun 07 2009
Welcome to the eleventh installment of “Considered Forthwith.”
This weekly series looks at the various committees in the House and the Senate. Committees are the workshops of our democracy. This is where bills are considered, revised, and occasionally advance for consideration by the House and Senate. Most committees also have the authority to exercise oversight of related executive branch agencies.
This week Considered Forthwith will examine the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The Committee is also commonly referred to by its acronym, The Senate HELP Committee.
I settled on a different committee than I planned because there The HELP Committee has a major hearing scheduled this week.