Economic Report:
By Jesse Russell
Former Federal Reserve economist Nariman Behravesh has told Bloomberg news that crude oil passing $100 per barrel could be the final push needed to “bring the U.S. economy to its knees.” The first forceful push came from the nation’s credit crunch. Economists are now projecting the possibility of a U.S. recession next year at 45 percent that is up from 33 percent just one month ago. If it happens the U.S. will likely pull Japan and Europe down with it.
By Doug Cunningham
Just hours after last Friday’s scramble by Jacksonville air traffic controllers to recover from equipment failure, Palm Beach’s tower lost all radar and communications, forcing another dangerous, tense scramble. The Air Traffic Controller’s Association says the Palm Beach emergency demonstrates the danger in an FAA plan to consolidate the Miami and Palm Beach facility, managing more air traffic with fewer controllers and less equipment. The union says redundant systems are good for air safety and shouldn’t be cost-cutting targets.
By Jesse Russell
Time was a doctor’s note was credible enough to earn a worker a sick day – but no more if you are a worker for GM. According to the Detroit Free Press starting January 1 employees who wish to call in a sick day will need a prescription note or proof of tests from the doctor’s office in order to qualify for sick pay. If not, workers could face verbal reprimands or worse – the loss of a job. The good news for five random workers who have perfect attendance for a full year – they’ll be entered into a drawing for $15,000 good toward the purchase of a GM car or truck.
By Doug Cunningham
Take, take, take. That’s the corporate mantra in America from the auto shop floor at GM, Ford and Chrysler to the Broadway stage. Members of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees are the latest to rise to defend families and their homes in the Broadway strike. Broadway producers want a 38 percent cut in jobs and wages even as the billion dollar a year industry profits. The Broadway stage workers pulled their picket line Monday so a benefit show for mentally challenged children could be staged at the Marriott Marquis Theater. But they want respect from theater producers and want to be treated honorably at the bargaining table.
While many shows have shut down production and entered reruns due to actors standing in solidarity with striking writers in Hollywood, not everyone is stepping up. Jesse Russell takes a look at one talk show host raising the ire of writers:
By Jesse Russell
Ellen DeGeneres is under fire from the Writers Guild of America-East. DeGeneres walked the picket lines side-by-side with writers for one day and then returned to work this week. The WGA has issued a statement expressing disappointment that DeGeneres will be recording shows in New York City on November 19 and 20. She has been writing
 |
|
Kudos to the non-partisan Drum Major Institute for Public Policy (DMI) for its great work in keeping us informed about what Congress is doing to help, and hurt, the middle class. Since 2003, DMI has issued annual scorecards analyzing the impact of legislation on America’s middle class and evaluating members of Congress based on their votes on this legislation.
The organization's new website, www.themiddleclass.org, is updated throughout the year with analyses of current legislation and shows you how your representatives and senators voted.
The site also features discussions of issues critical to the middle class. For example, AFL-CIO Policy Director Thea Lee and UNITE HERE President Bruce Raynor are shown during a CNN interview, where they make the point that ensuring immigrant workers have the freedom to join unions protects the rights of all workers. (See video.)
Recent Comments