The New Organizing
May 14, 2013By Neal Tepel
Across the country Workers Organizing Committees are being formed supported by UFCE, SEIU and other progressive labor organizations. These organizing committees have linked to local community groups creating a powerful force for workers. Workers Organizing Committees are demanding increased wages for employees in retail and fast-food industries as well as improved working conditions.
UFCW Statement on House Bill Attacking Hourly Workers
May 13, 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The UFCW released the following statement on May 9, 2013 after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1406, the inappropriately named Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 which would take money out of the pockets of America’s hourly workers.
Improving Financial Picture for USPS
May 13, 2013
By Fredric Rolando, President National Association of Letter Carriers
The Postal Service’s financial report—which included the first revenue increase in five years—reflects an improving financial picture as the economy gradually improves.
Operating revenue in the most recent fiscal quarter was $121 million higher than the same period a year ago, while expenses fell by $1.2 billion.
Target Violated Federal Labor Law, Workers’ Rights According to NLRB Decision
May 13, 2013
http://www.ufcw.org
On April 26, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overturned the results of a union election based on Target’s worker rights violations at their store in Valley Stream, N.Y. during the campaign last year. Additionally, the NLRB found that the company systematically violated the rights of workers nationwide by maintaining illegal work rules designed to keep workers from speaking out for change at work.
Another Win For UAW
May 13, 2013
By Neal Tepel
Arlington, Texas - UAW's organizing drive was successful in Texas. Workers at the Flex-N-Gate plant in Arlington, Texas voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers.
Cindy Estrada, UAW vice-president said that workers at Flex-N-Gate’s non-union plants, including the one in Arlington, are paid about $10 an hour even if the have more than ten years of service.
UFCW Members Lobby New York Legislators
Reprinted in Laborpress May 13, 2013
www.ufcwaction.org/
UFCW members from local unions all across New York descended upon the Capitol in Albany April 23rd to lobby their elected officials about important bills pending in the Assembly and the Senate.
UFCW members lobbied in support of the New York DREAM Act, the Fair Elections Act, the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act, medical marijuana, and conveyed their strong opposition to the Walmart tax credit that was structured into the recently passed minimum wage deal.
UFCW NY Local 348-S Americare Workers Ratify New Contract
May 13, 2013
By Stephanie West
New York NY - Thousands of Americare workers from UFCW Local 348-S in New York City ratified a new contract in an overwhelming city-wide vote.. The new contract includes a new system that ensures worker seniority when it assigns cases. Members also have improved bereavement leave.
Frieze-Out: Haute Art Show Plays Dumb In Labor Dispute
May 11, 2013
By Joe Maniscalco
New York, NY - The Frieze Art Fair returned for a second go 'round on Randall’s Island this week, and just like its inaugural run held on NYC public land last year, organizers of the London-birthed showcase have done their darndest to duck area standards, wages and benefits. (Watch Video)
LaBarbera to Insurers: ‘Pay Your Bills!’
May 11, 2013
By Marc Bussanich 
New York, NY—Nine years after an initial groundbreaking, building and construction workers installed the final section of the 408-foot mast atop One World Trade Center on Friday morning. At midday several hundred gathered at Coenties Slip Park to hear the president of the Building and Construction Trades Council, Gary LaBarbera, implore airline insurers to pay almost $2 billion in claims they promised to pay after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Watch Video
Fast-Food Strike Hits Detroit
May 11, 2013
By Kismet Barksdale
DETROIT, Michigan –More than 400 workers at Detroit’s largest fast food chains walked off their jobs Friday, May 10, 2013, calling for $15 an hour and the right to form an union free from retaliation. The walkout – hitting major national chains like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Domino’s, Long John Silver’s, Popeyes, Burger King and Little Caesar’s – marks the largest in a string of strikes in low-wage industries that began last fall at Walmarts nationwide and continued to emerge among fast-food restaurants and retail stores in major cities.
Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn Re: Pearson error in scoring Gifted and Talented admission tests
May 11, 2013
“Students know that there are consequences when you make repeated mistakes and it’s time Pearson learns that same lesson. Their contract with the City Department of Education should be terminated. The fact that Pearson has again failed to properly score the city’s gifted and talented tests and even more egregiously, lied about conducting quality assurance checks when correcting their first error, is totally unacceptable.
SUNY Downstate Demonstrators Rake Cuomo Over The Coals
May 10, 2013
By Joe Maniscalco
Brooklyn, NY - Governor Andrew Cuomo may have earned some points appealing directly to the Obama administration for help saving four Brooklyn hospitals from closure or privatization - but that didn’t spare the state's top dog from the wrath of labor leaders, clergy members, hospital patients, axed workers and Reverend Al Sharpton - all of whom skewered the state’s chief executive at a rally outside SUNY Downstate Medical Center on Thursday. (Watch Video)
Mo Strikes: NYC Inspires St. Louis Fast Food Workers
May 10, 2013
By Joe Maniscalco
New York, NY - Underpaid workers in St. Louis who who can no longer make it on the city's $7.35-an-hour minimum wage are striking for sustainable incomes at fast food joints all over The Gateway to the West this week - and the New York City activists who helped inspire them to action are rooting for them all the way.
Teamsters on board for Rory
May 10, 2013
By Stephanie West
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters’ Joint Council 16 has endorsed Rory Lancman for City Council. The thirty-three separate Teamster locals that make up the Joint Council represent 120,000 members and their families, and work in private and public sector jobs critical to New York's economy and well-being.
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