Labor Union Blog

California has become the first state to seek ways to soften the impact of the subprime mortgage crisis. According to the Financial Times Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has cut deals with four major mortgage lenders in the Sunshine State that will extend low introductory rates on adjustable subprime loans to those risking foreclosure. The move could protect the protect tens of thousands of Californians from losing their homes.

Foxwoods casino workers in Connecticut voted for union representation on Saturday. The casino is run by the Mashantucket Pequots who had sought a block from the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB refused to block the election and it went forward with 60 percent of the dealers voting in favor of union representation by the United Auto Workers.

Foxwoods casino workers in Connecticut voted for union representation on Saturday. The casino is run by the Mashantucket Pequots who had sought a block from the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB refused to block the election and it went forward with 60 percent of the dealers voting in favor of union representation by the United Auto Workers.

Burger royalty may be endangering the price paid to farmers in the fields. According to an Associated Press article published this weekend, Burger King is teaming up with the Florida Growers Exchange to oppose deals that would have fast food corporations pay a penny more for Florida tomatoes. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers was successful in winning deals with McDonald's Corporation and Taco Bell owner, Yum Brands. Burger King and the Growers Exchange are preparing to fight the workers with an antitrust suit, but have yet to explain the grounds and have simply called the wage increase agreements "un-American".

Burger royalty may be endangering the price paid to farmers in the fields. According to an Associated Press article published this weekend reveals that Burger King is teaming up with the Florida Growers exchange to oppose deals that would have fast food corporations pay a penny more for Florida tomatoes. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers was successful in winning deals with McDonald’s Corporation and Taco Bell owner Yum Brands. Burger King and the Growers Exchange are preparing to fight the workers with an antitrust suit – but has yet to explain the grounds and have simply called the wage increase agreements “un-America.” The tomato pickers receive no healthcare or overtime.

Lede: As Doug Cunningham reports, the Economic Policy Institute believes the American people have rejected neo-con economic policy and are ready for an "agenda for shared prosperity".

By Doug Cunningham

Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President of the Economic Policy Institute, says there’s been a remarkable public and political shift away from support for purely market driven economic policy. What American working families need, Eisenbrey says, is an economic policy agenda for shared prosperity, an economy actually designed to benefit the majority of us.

[Eisenbrey]: "It’s a remarkable change in a very short time. I think there’s been a public rejection of the conservative 'you’re on your own' economic agenda that we’ve seen for the last ten years or so, and there’s a hunger for something new."

Lede: As Doug Cunningham reports, the Economic Policy Institute believes the American people have rejected neo-con economic policy and is ready for an “agenda for shared prosperity”.

By Doug Cunningham

Ross Eisenbrey, Vice President of the Economic Policy Institute, says there’s been a remarkable public and political shift away from support for purely market driven economic policy. What American working families need, Eisenbrey says, is an economic policy agenda for shared prosperity- an economy actually designed to benefit the majority of us.

[Eisenbrey]: “It’s a remarkable change in a very short time. I think there’s been a public rejection of the conservative you’re on your own economic agenda that we’ve seen for the last ten years or so, and there’s a hunger for something new.”

Mark Shugart and his wife Lynn on Victory Lane at Texas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR fans know that 2007 Nextel Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson won the Dickies 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway three weeks ago. But they didn’t know there was another winner on Victory Lane that day. Mark Shughart, a member of the Sheet Metal Workers Local 2 and the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), was visiting the Lone Star State with his wife Lynn for a weekend of NASCAR racing. He won a contest sponsored by USA and Beretta-USA for a prize package valued at more than $6,000. The package included airfare, three nights lodging, two tickets to the Craftsman, Busch and Nextel Cup races, unlimited access to Beretta’s private suite, VIP passes for unlimited access to the garage and pit area throughout the weekend and a brand new Beretta Xtrema2 shotgun.